\ \

. ! :

AMEIUCAN l\lnSPNERS(J))'WARINSOUTHlilAS'r ., 'ASIA,1971

, ,-

o;I!UES:OAY, SEPT'iiMBltlt 28,' 1971 , "" . \ {' "

;HOUSE OF RE)PRE)SE)NTATIVE)S, .. COMMITTEE) ON' FORE)IGN AFFiU1\S,

SUBCOMMITTE)E) ON NATIONAL SE'CtrRITYO, POLICY AND SCIE).N"TIFIC ,DE)VE)LOPMENTS,

. .',~ :'.'-', ""," '. ,; .. ,,,<,,.'" ;""',, "<""W(j,8hin!JtOit,·D~lSJ.: ,-

The Bubcommitt~emetat rO:l0:11:m., inraom·2172; Hi:)D .. Clement

J. Zablacki (chairman af the subcammittee) presi.png.. .'

Mr. ZABLOCKI., The eU bcammittee'"will please dome to O'rdar.'·' . ' .. ) T,pdas the :Sub~an1mi't~ee'in :NatWn:~l~eb~itrP\>licSaiia'Scienti1l.p

Deyel'ol'ment.s resmiles'As serre~ af PStiOdlC hell:'"nig.~ anp.,,,btie1ll).'gB

oil the questIon of' Ametican l'flsanersdf war alid mIssing 'm 'actIOn

in TShautheas~t~si~. ,,' 'h' . '" .,. .. • d 'd" k ~ "'. ." . b'" . esecan mu~t\geaJ:1ngs 'are luten e . to' es 0~ngrosB It reaElt

vf a!l current ue-v:ilTopmEmts aridtli:i>broad+ahge a viewsI'D. the\ssu\l.

ThrOugh this e'ffMtof' c9D.stan,t &ohgr~~si?l).a.ratt~ri~i~n .~~ iiil!0petl: th9.t

.. we cannat'~IIly'~antflbute to but'maugurll>te ~ys'.'ana m~a$.s'oI>f

securing .the'l'ralllPt and, safe r(jturIidfilll POW /NllA's. ..,.."' . . '" Ink~epin~;witl\: t~~t6o~grt\ss\oiial'respat\sibility of l1elping, our

P0W/N1IA's 9.natMl:'fall).l1l~s, ·I.ampl~ased tor,e,l'a!t"tha;t ?1l:'nex~

M()]),day theHa.u~e of Represejltatl~ei\'will becb~illder.mg,H'ouseCon.

ifutrent'ResolutIon 374', l:his res<ll\ltlait~expressesthe sense bf :O\\llgtess

ill. protesting the' tNiatmet\t bf U:S, servlcemilli'b.eld prisWer 'ani:llc.al~

fa! th,~h: h,umane ~reattl;lent \~'ful1 'clim,pli'~npc\w,it1i'therequitetifents ofiheGeneta C6nvelltlj1il,' AS:you fnb~;lt,.wtl~8cheaUle~·yest~raay put hec!Luse of the deatho£ CongressfualiW\litts r't was pastponedull1ltl

next Manda;y. ,.'" ,",'" '.' ." . '

' .. 'w. esil).c~.i:~I~h?P~;bf ~aurse; lth~t'tl;ii~ 'res(jl~tiai\' will'hel\Yc'<inyinbe

the 'other s1<1:e6f O1tr deep' can Cern 'aver' the We,lfhl't! of 0lP' meji. Ill'tb,at

cannectian I havealreadl, been assured py·theJ)el'a,ttment t>fS'taJile

t4I"ti~he: resolu'lli!>lr' will 'l)'e :t"ili~lI1itt~d 'b.t\llIled1a~elY·M"bhrl" peltOe

negotIating' teandn 'Paris alid 'will 'be ' put to' 'effective 'Usl'l'at"ltJh6se

nega.tiations. .... . l!'l'd,

'It,i~' es'timatedtho.t .t4ore' 'than' 1,lioct members 'of 'jIhe· U :S~' Mtheli

'Forces \ir~' prison~t's of War'ai"mi8~ing'in'Jacti"'n'.~nSouthiiaSt"Al!ia.

"l'il'er-.i'n:re,'hd*ev"e't-;' man~ 'tin\~s'thltt i;itim%efhilreib, the' Uliitett $>tl,,'tIes 'whb Jare' 'in 'I)) 'r~a1 way, ".prl~6'liers": of'thei)' bwlp: lOhe1tJilesSi a1'1,g,e1;iS'(.a'li<'i

~~",:~,~~u~~a~id~:!r~~~t~I'~?~f~~.,t~;~h~'!'~~I~~~!,~~l'?'V:~~:~~;16~ ! ';WltlitiSttlq.ll1. 'a;re tht~e'WQtn'e'ih\>ll<'l '$~a:i',~' 'tll'e1helilyy j>Ur&eh'of !j;h~t 'fat~2ll.:.tw6 wi ~es:a\\.~l tM'~tJtli~r:of':Nme'jilcall 's¢t~c'ei\)i~ti'b,eld' ),>i'i,oh!ltir

ar hsted as mlssmg iII' laletloh'; 'Eac')(.Wa'sW6i'ked trt~lessly '!lfriti' cUifrage-

(85)

86

·I~'·

Yet, despite this almost 50-50 numerical division, the situation was such that many of our citizens-and I must say even Members of Oongress and otherwise enlightened representatives of the press~ talked or wrote almost exclusively about the men held captive in and around Hanoi. (,

~ r.~ ,"" "FORGOTTEN MEN OF THE VIE~~f,~,W'aJ:i;' /""'H"'~)

Th.iS sit .. uation-and I 8ho '. ;_~. t."fI. '·.(t¥it'"".··.t.·h~~ not greatly improved-was, and is, p . , ' e i~"tO the'jfamilies of men held~~e or missil1l\ . .o if . ." " let a~.A}'lyou may recall, t~e''I?r~O$)@r<i of war 91t»n . r~~.n" j e~:' ~e .$"gott~n men of the VIetn!llnji;\'War,l" 'lj.uir~'t1le~r ~.;,jnl,SflItlgq.iq"., .. '. PI~b.?Ied m ~he South, Laos and' 13tJ,ml}odi\! ~.~~~~y'arlY: .. 'J!j'.e''i9.IDJ ... e; .. ,.:It.. tIll. remam to ~Q!)le extent, the "fprgot~n()l',rt\»,g()tJt8\);,;i') . I j r ';,;

Yo';! are a~ar,~)~: (il'lUf.' !3/ tiYat e\li\J.l;~~,~~~eiorces has, f!,~ a., long tIme, ha~.?~g. ()I g., .. r!1' gr.rs ~~lf1fbl., '!I~. »iiij .. ~t. Fq, /~IA fan)t .. he1l: and to k~ep e'fn'~btfe to· de:v61llPlne €"'~\i,liat . ht '? any~a~) affect theIr h .GllIan or/s"!>!l. ~ac)i of, t.,e~~ p~gpJ" dIffer t !th~ extent th;.:t .. Ji:1' set c.'.ell.r.o.'.bl\.r e]Us' ' iliff. ".er. ,a;nd l't"W""'!I,lot'lng bef <l ~,!.,.:, discovere \,t:liilit the Arn1y',s!.p\:ob1,lm W~· 'nd(\ea'~i~~'" Ie) .~

I would. : .. , .. eL tj1,~ow-Yoirlsortt..;.slme. s . ','!lus~r.a. M ~~1y meaIF" ::"'. May I $t. oauce Sp4c. pon 001'l;>eW e, ha~Re<lif ~d enou~lL·to

bring the 'l\iew~rapp. and ~ist in tb:l\ p~esenf~i'Cin. v" '. 1,,; /S First ofJ;(this !s.a'I."QgraJihical,1istmjg of oUf ArmjJamllfes thr?I~'

out .. th .. el1f1Ited .. ~,tat . As1QU·Wlll.". ~~~, we a .. ve scat ... ,cered fp08tly: 1 " e ... ;.' South~.8i8b, the ,s1i'ut an.d. thje west. ~t, T~elar~ bl'i>c~ dot IS ott; Bragg. We hil,\ii~ mo ilIIllhtaty fa:wlies m ll\;iat one"lll'tIa..tMn any 1iher, and I ''thin'R tllfoAi aonllprises 4bout 20. . ""~ .' : :.; "

('I'h~ map,r.eferred tfJ ... apl?~ars on page 28!3.); ; Ii;': The fiel't slIde, please. " ' : ., ! I". i The figl\re8 "11 this tabh) "how .tha~ abo!1t 25 I1ercent \>f all oW;b,e;

missing ajlll caIituredin.al1lservices al'l1 ArlinY me!}, ye,t.tliose thaW'w~ hear mos'!; aboutillpl'the Air\Force and-the'Navy pilots h~ld in Nj6;t:th:

Vi(¥'h:tabl~rejI~r;ea.to foll,ks:)"" ' ! '., 1~ .•... TABLE l.-NUMBER~OF CAPTURED ANO'MISSING PERs6NNEI., BY SiRVICE, IN SOUTH\AST AS1A~': , >, ;

'(AS O'F"SEPT. 3, 1~7l)

~rmy

Source: aso Comptroller.

" ~,_.,-' '

"

Air For~ I.

, ",',

, i ~.) ~: ,"-" ',,,

, ,;

, ,(. '''. \' ,', '"' .. 'I.'

But what is truly startlirrgahG,;!Hhe Ar~y figuresjs,that 6\) pe:cent of the Army, POW/MIA are e:nhe;teli. ':I'lllsoon.trasts sharply wIth 3

88

~ VI Z UJ UJ :::: a::

<C ;;: CL

• ,1)

~'" ,

p~reent. enlis~ed,\'IJ1()Ilg; the :I",avy Illelland 8 pere~nt eIll!st~d among A,r Force personneL 'The M''Wne:(J6,tP$'c'?tnes c1os~st,t/j us, J;>utas JOu can see, webve ttle v,!:st jUR)!lnty6f' enhs,teq',', " .

('the tablereferreu'tofdl\ows:) .'., .. " "" ' ,." ': " .",' , "" I.' " c, \),,; ;:, \ J. '., ' ,,', .,', ..

TABLE 2.-PERCENTAG[OF OFF1CllAS;(INCLUD1NG WARRANT OFFICERS) ANO ENLisTEO- MEN' OF ''tHE {CAPTURED -AND,MISSING PEASON~EIl.IN SQUTHEAST ASIA, BY:SERVICE , '

Army USMC Navy Air Force

., Now the next, graph, please ... : . ",' . '. '. , '" Again a· difference. This grllph shows the. percentage of married

and single men. As. yow Call 'see', :62 pevcent.:ofour Army POW/MIA are single, compared with 22 percent in the.AirFaree "",0. 24 percent of those iIUh. eNavy.Again the Ma.rin. e· Cor. ps .• eomes'.closest tofu.:.'

(Thetablereferredto.followsl;9 ,",' . '. ,I , I.' ",

, 1 . 1 ' ~'\ , \ ! 1

TABI,.E 3.:-PER~.ENT;AQE OF ~f.R~IEDfANQ ,SlNGL~;MEN OF,CAP.l!URED:AND,M1S~ING PERSONNI::l. IN, SOUTI;tEAST . , . . . ASIA, sHERVICE

,",' "," ... :-' -; .: .. : . ,',',,;", "" .: ','. '. ,r;

USMC

Married.~~ •• ~2.~ • .:",_, ___ ,,"~·_·. ___ · __ ~~ __ " ___ .~_"~}_~· Single ... __ •.••• __ ...• ______ . ___ ._" ""~ _____ ~~ _ow. ~ __ ,

, \'

, ,

76% ' 24j?,

Air Force

18% ; "~2fq..,

The next graph please. .... • ' .. ' ...... . .. ' .'" i, .'

This, graph Bh:6WB the breitkdow'ni>f ca,ptureclandmisslng ill all ser"'-ces.As.tl1e cotntnitteeis. aWl\re,ino~t ,of th"ltnoWn pris()ners-'r' those Who. haye .been IdentifieQ' 'its cap6ve"ihrougli various sources':':" are tholieheldip.tl1e"pi'i~ohs of ;S;a'noi~339,. On1:Y63 01 those. Arm:si' menmissing orca:ptlIredIIiat~as'dther than Nortn Vletn,am have ever' been, identified as' pnsoners, ",nd ~his idelltiffy~t1'on. cOI;niIlgto us onW' tl1~p)lgh prop~gl'nda fi.!ld/or m~elhg~nc~' ~odr~es,otfrom: O';lf n:ehwho' have be.en .. ;e\e"'.$e. d. 'or .. esc .. ape .. ~ . .'.Ne.v. e. r. h..a .. ,v. e ~e. '.'.had ,an. '. official h.st .. tro.m. . the other SIde. And, so verX' rmpottant,.Iswj:\:ethet these men we'have' listed as "ca:pt\1~ed" 'have \ndMil'Suryi'Ved: " .. ' . .",

('tlie talWe referi'~dt6 follbws:) " .. ', "" /" ' .. ' ... I,' . '" , .. , " •. ! i'l ''', '. ',,""', . , ,. , "" J ,) ," ' • ',',

TABLE 'V-PERCENTAGE. OF-,CAPTURED' AND MLSSING:;P.ERSONNEL IN SO,UTHIlAST IASIA BY'J.AST· KNOWN

Source: 03'D Comptroller.

LOCATlOr .. BY SI'V'C,.. '", ' , [

, 0%, 100%, ',;,

.. USM,C

n% 78%,;

Al~'FOrO(f: ')i: '

,I ':,f'" ,./",1\'

So you can ;'efi.dilys~ethat the Al'mY's,problemi~,iiotii~~~at, different from thq~e, of tIieothei' servie~s.Jlli~hty,sil> p~rgen~ ,oi .ollr, men are in that oI)1iuOUB eatego,y;"missing:" .. ,.,',,; ',:',' ,

.. ;j ,', i.:

" ." SPEC,U.',LATION ,0. eN ·POW~'CAMP. LOCATiti"NFf' . " ,",.

"There haS.beenspeculatioh';'.of .course,that~o,rieor~"eiltillo(tb:~' prisoners captured in the South, LaoslIllII).d"Q,emhl);\iIit",hIJ,'fe" silMt~

been transported Vo prison camps in North Vietnam. But this is,

nevertheless, only speculation. There is.llIot,l;,!leI8)Nled!''~lBm/lJe,,,,e .. as

!ltn! 'as; iArinID,Y' 'f",IiIilie~ 'ltre 1 frol1tamew.t, fllln.\l riwmeBIJoJi<.tibiliii, IOlVad',PMs

hiitv(,i,Ije;vle" lamJ,leoiRe.<II:?n' <1islis'Iero!'l"atJiug lfu:om>liI"1i!oil' . !I"lfl "i,':,I';', ,I, '

uiWhlia tIlti tl'\[B 1"Ol!IlU, 'iEimuilt <iliiwe.$I&Qr~·a: molMentutQlaak <l'''';UllasiL,

similarl)/,<])<iJ$Qd ruhe IllJuestionr tml maJidbeJts! ou itJJWneWSJm:eda&ltlriOOl~ut)

my travels: When Hanoi released its i)iBtrofliU.6l.l pniBoIier8'ltdJSeru,~Qrs

Fulbright and Kennedy in December 1970, did you even think to ask,

"Is 'tll'ere' ali''A¥ihY''lnltn''Oh''t1li~,'JiEillr',''~~fJyo\i' 'di1['nbl!, "Iti\nill'e'il'illh':jo!n:

the cluh,.for I have never rece'tv,wl' !\'ll:.\1'l'1lmlativeanBwer.. .

, ,Thl' Ar1;\lY familieB,,--along ,,with other families whose sons and

huso'andsare .missmgor -impnsolled .in .areas .. otherthanNOl:th Viet­

nam-do not receive'\lIlail. Ol'lW one lattllr.h!\s .everem.erge<lfromAAil::,

Of ,those held captivEHn areasdther than North Vietnam. . co',,;,'

. Thepoigrrancy of'this situation is 'thRtilta Armyiamilies arele~s'Well

equipped than families of career servicenlell 'fi'i 'if&a'f'~eltligtMiiny .W'ft:h

this situation. Remember, Army primary. ,n,e.l\k.of~ . life , ,l1J.,Oj!tly

Pare)lts,;,their .sQIlSl'a1'.e).,rg~lY "nol),c,w;~eris,tlll: th~ J;t\pl' e.r~(IHiQ)alili.,~rs kn 'Ttf]·p l'U't -'n' mb~nh'" " .';1. "~'··'c'bo;;rt,\).

ch.··.·~,.wneis' .. t.~ ..... orrh'Ijl.·· .~.r'. th.. 1,1'>:''''. ·~.· .. h~~lI',~p .. ·~~.,~!l.I;V.~.~.! 111 .. t.i¥:I'.·~<i~.:~if' !\b,~t .th.~~~W#~v~~~~s' (it :i~.;if:~~~~ ~~Rg~f~ri~~,~e;ffi~j9~ft~ opr. :;\rmYI 'r:\r~ '1i" t'l'pd£h!l~~~!/',,~~JlA~r r'l~ffi~~~JltJ'j1~W' llh1'{eu' wP~);i.~,~e Rmtt~Y;.A\ls\'lrf\'1' !J!+Wio}~p.,--:" ~y".,..~(:

11."':4.' ~.;re~.':e;.¥if: .. e. ~/~.¥\.u .. ~.c.'a.,~~" ~·' .. '.~W:.~~. ,.p."f.'."tliis.· . At. ;1,l.)L~tip. ,B .. ~.· .. H.' ~.~.'. cUf.a~:a.,' .. i.·'W,LI.~.~: n;t?re tmd !;\\lw~Igny.41jl~ies:,,1iQ .w:e),'e ,l:\e~aer~a ",p..~ ilaj!,ed~b.y tIleD.' . mIsfo:-tune, and who were t~mlj\y,gUf}W.,I).~e.a. W'.J\le.·. oo ... oo,,,.Il .. ,,';I.hall .. Jl~~~~a: questIons the.y had concernmgthelr ~<i{i:~rt,l;te, .~Il~,+ . .ll1Yoi1l4, <lWes~ here to explam that the answers were not fortlicolmng, essehfiaily

bec!tuse 'thIlYql1e~ti()Usi ,in most insta:nOl!$, h!~d,n:ot'heen,;oommunicated

to the Army. Families, for ,the 'rilbst'pltrt, just did not know they

cOllld even, ask 'thequesti@s ,or that an answerl'ussibly 1ilid""is1l s?lhewhere'in the Ar:rny files. 'tn shor~ lack ofllleaningful communica-.

Uon betwe.en the Army and ,its families was the crux of the prq1;>~e~,

T·he situation is understanda:ble, viewed. in the :li,ght .. that"lililiti1 ,~ilite

recently·theentire 'POW/MIA issue waB'kept ·husn-h1lBh.But-you,'O£

course, know this aspect of the story. ".""""'<! .. :."" . ...< .A .. t, ~h~end., o. f Ill. yt .. ,en.'.u. re as .. ;N. a.t. i.()n,~ I. C.' .00.". 4, inl\to~, ()f t.,h~ L~a,gue ,0.£. 1) atnllies,tha 'Anhy VIGe·Chl~f 'df Staff, 'O'e".'Brl'lb,e 'P'al,li\er, 'lI,,, 8.Skedm'e· if' 'I 't~~ught 'the ·*ri1l~;w;'s.: d()i,n,g.aIFt't!a,t,i~ ~cl9ukJl~fM;ib'o ' POW/MIA famIlies. I replieil,' "'demlr.e:l, ~tei'6U"'sure'you 'l'6flTIy'

want to know?" He assured me that he didl and I then advised him

that I thought there was much room for Improvement.

own expense,for lwltt1ted it'cthisway.c-;.an:d 'uo, confer first with the

~~l:ct!iWst~l:~%~r.tersm, ~h~ ~ c?1?;tit,te~t~l , ~~ir~d§t~r~~' ,plus 26

" . Myagerlda:oiqJbSt W01l1d'be'a~f9)loWs':lTIntrari:ceihMrviewwith ,th~.comtriah~er.; . It ~2~hO~'r.'b~i~:6.I1g' tp ,,~i1it.~rysta:ff~?~~l.'lrising ", the Olhef ?Hltaff, nSPE'R,a4J,uta~t', ~etleral, c,a~l1l}ltv i se.p~lOnofficer, chaplain', At,;ny community '~erVlc~'offic~r; ,comptro11er !lIa~e . advo­!late, 81lrge'on,' bhief'<if' nlentltlliealth clihlc, billeting 'om:ce¥i 11\forma­

.tion .. officer, Red Qross representative, a)l..d all ianri!yserviceil'an.d

:aSsi~ta~ce ~ffi~ersin tlie.¥hfu~diate ate''!--;'a' pte's~idlJif~ret\be;.~~e~i~

Wi.' .tl\..f~ml.h~S;m !' g'rO!ll~ .• ~~d,.a. ite.,t. ~.~ri:\.~., SlIi.' ~ly,ii.,.requ.,esF.~d.; Vl~.l~the casualty S~ction,anid 4}Sc.u~slO,n,'?f, ~dlyidual,ca;'~~ i:i;n ~l\~~verungs,

telephoning l1s'manyf"milYW~)1lbersas'i1oss1ble 'wb'o"~ere unableti> 'cdm~ to.tlie)1leetil).g;'anexit inMrview'\lritJi the 'comm~nder til give

,him m.'.Yim.J,lressi.o .. liS'. fj,nd re.comJnend. ation.s.;,th .... en'o ... if. t tb'.catch a.n. a .... ir.~ 'pIlttle' to i the 'next ,post/.' In addition; fl1mily 'meetingBWere' held in ])e~~oiti Chi<iago,;anq' Pli\ieni\(, >yhereit 'lvilseasier to get ~he groups

'together 'thanat'an' Armyinstalh,tlon.' .. .... ..' .... "'.'. ..'

'" oIninviting J;Il'ehere today; yotispe?:6.callY'r<ique~'t~d'~I\,~t Iqi$cllsS

wlthyoll some' 'of th~ recommendaiiion:s l'made asa,resutt of lily 'iD,te~sive 4~m'dil'th 'trip; an.d'what the Army'h!is don:e toiriljllein'en:tnew (r>olicies· '_-"':'~',-" _ "~,,._, '_.:} .:-1 :'," ::,',_ ", <:,' :r,· ':"'",:- :"";,',;

HI have been: '0; little woruy; as tisuai, ill leading uPM theprlnoipal

area of discussi~n, itis,b,ecause, Ifelt you would pejnterested'in the

;htickgtOutld' .'infOrnl!1~ioh Have giyen. you.' But particu\~tJy I'wanted

'to str~ss: tha~,:~lt1i()u~hlnl,ay hav'epeen''iJistruhJ~ri.~~l'in: sbl!'e, ~IP.a:l1 'way~n touchmgbff'the'Arrb.y's detaile4 eJglIQratio)l i¥WI1YSl)l wlil'ch

it could !ml?rove its programsiln:d' 'practices,' there"l 'd~ivJngfj)rcil

~beh~nd tM 'effort, w\'S thel,Nrt:ny le~der,~~ip:.JIf . t\l.e S~ci'et\,:r~o£ . !he

A'rn;ty ; the ,9hie~ M~ Stii!f; the V ~~e' 0hl~f ofSt!lfl;; the' A:~J ~~!,n t' (ien~t.~\, 'j{1i~0l!lfeVs ,t\~cmPY1J\.g'k,eypdsltl~ns'had n.9t:slii~e'rely w:~tedto pln:­'pomt".arellsfor 'po~eI\t\allrmp.to"ement,lt; .1S 'lIkelY. tliat',very little 'w6Iild'h;fve'b~~niaccbtrlplil'ihea> ";'" ":: .' ',' ",'," " ...... "~

,., Alid'ffia)i' lal/;,Q' 'sa:\l"t'h'itt'tl1e 'Arn\Y: tMii' doml)1.ander,(lo#{d'pqstcOnl"

:xnatfd$is,as WeIhs Weir ,~tWl's; en'ibrat\ed!th'eid\i~' wrt\i trexn~nt\ous en tliuslasmi w'elbOn1ihg' Iile'! warmly ahd errcdu:i'ligin:g me 'to 'openly

crit\ci,ze their efforts, if I felt thl'\t ,criticism Was waJ;l'~nt~d" Buti ,m~re

'!m:po~tali~1y ;~W~y; 'ii1dv'e~(i~i't\kly't~ b't~age' 'iYliil.tliv!ir~~P'~: ,'L fo#n~, ~f. corree. tl'V'e. :ac~lon'w~BI,po~slble 'at: the IlbSt le'v'iJ1.Wh~re it· wttsno,t,'

! . m;adW 'recol;iiiiiei1dati6nll 'to !tWe 'Dei>~txnerit of'. t]l.e' :A;rm:'.f, wliibh

,,~nst~t?ted, ~w~lt,fol\o.wthro)lght~ ~s.t\lb,ljsh !le,)",!,oliPl"'l'.:' ,';'," r" "fhlS lilQrnmg. 'I 'WlI)ll,ttehl):>~. t6outlille' 'SOlne onhe'lriaJor'proll~em

,ateas I fdurtd\ ; 'the' recdihliiepdIVti6hsi ma:d'~ 'aridtll:e1i~titilj,~ 'the 'Arniy 'ha!l'takerit<l'Implelilen:'t'ifriprdv8ti\en'~tl. ":'.,' 'ir,'" "('".''' ""'," ""

',u-,f" '!F_~_j(\fr';li':)'::' 11.£ '~-' ;.,i;'

FAMILY SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE OFFICER - ;Li\\",iH d','."f.:,'/.:,,)',l ~:,:'r :{,"1/ '~'{

mftn MSisting' th~'POW/MIA ·fafuilies. T)J.lsha!' bklm,' dbIle. Thereltre now separatebooklets'ltnd guidelines for 'each:' cate~dry.Thetitle ti( the' officer wlroasaists the POW/MfA f'l!nllyisnow KriQwn as it family servi,ces and ,lIssistance officet;arid ",ehltve;' of ,?ont&e; lih(jrt~nedittb FSAb'." ' .". ,"'.' ' .. "" .• " ", ..... ' . . Secon:d, achitnge in the inetliod6fdelivery of the 7 -day telegrltth in:forming the £amilythata:' board will be' convened; thi1tt!iere may be a·status' chalngefrom' "lIlissing" to "presumed dead" and sofortli, is 'now sent to the FSAO who, iii turrl;h~rid delivers it to 'th,e family andexplllinswhat it means; '.' .' ." ."" .. " '. ,'. '. 'Third, follOwing thereport.(,!'the invest4\:ating board th~'Adjutitn~

Generltlwrites It perBonalletter to·thef'amlly'in which.h:e pet,il]s the specific circumstances of'the mltri's capture or disappearance'l together with the findings and recommendations of the board. This '18 usultl1y Itbout 60 dltys:aftertheltccidentand.is,the,finst comprehensive repor.t the family has seen, and it always raises a vast array of. questions. . 'Heretofore;this "letter of circumstance',' was mailed to the next of kin, and although a copy went to the army headquarters, none wa. s made avllilable to the FSAO,or the post charged with the respon­sibility of'maintaining liaison with the family. I urged that this pro.cedure, be overhauled and it. has been. The letter is now hand. delivered by the FSAO and he IS there to answer the many, many' questions which evolve. If he does not have the answer, he is now' authorized to telephone the Departme.nt of the Army Casualty Sec.tion immedilttely Itndobtain the answer.

Fourth, I found many families-including myself-could not under­stand the lengthy delay-from 2 .to 3 Il).onths-m determining the facts ofth~ !1Ccident--'why did it titkesolOng7 FSAO'swereurrawareof the procedure'stjme-oonsuming pr$ceedings. Wlienwe all· knew the' thoroughness of this exhaustive i)l.vestfgation, we collld. understand why itt\\OR! so'l6ng; Howevel'; in·'t.his aiea I felHhe procedure' opuld ~he' Mcelerruted by trained' reporting 'J'l~rs(jtlnel" aBfisting' • tM . hoard 'of iJ:lqUiry. General Bowers'perBonallydis~ussed ·t4i~· recommeI].dation ~th 'th." Chi~f o£ Stltff; U.S .. Arm~iVietnalli! Itrit\'dti?-ersdt\~is, recent .nspe<>tlOn·trl]) tl!the'Orient 'alld' the proMss',S beIng 1Illproveil.' ."

, ,,,' , '"'. ;)

RECOMMENDATIONS TO DEPARTMENT dlJ''1'HEARM'Y': n'· t .. -' '."':);-; ',;, .' '", : T<-' : Ii ,i: '!,', '

In, Itll,.1 .. ma~ JJlm:ost" two. ,d<>zenreconimendatioris. to .thel iDep!1Ut-.1 ment of the Army. I am happy to repor,t,thl1t,marii)'l,.in:ltddition,tothose I have discussed here, have been put into eife'ot"itn:d.,that, othersillre stilliuJ;lderstud:jT Ol'.itl the prooess of being·implefuented.!I'o>name a few-and Ithinkl. <thihmost importaht· now-,.is,·.the"gP<1luptherapYI sessions -for .families ;',bettet:ways,;tO return personal 'efi'ee.ts.··M ithel'ulxt ofi kin.;. It ,Qolllprehe.nsitve: bOoklet 'fot the rnex;tldil ki.Jil.&ltnd [, am. 'plllased' to[announcetlie.l'Q .. ughd~MtTM!lh. ,edtiie,y.~sterd!llY;"':' "."" ""'h' '.""

. I WitS PII!Itij),ula~l.l\ ;lgwl\ltiil~d·,bYh~he i AJ1my!)l; action, irudollUlilllg .. {\, S!'i~ci~l i tltsk\ fQ~c(jFQ\ ·f1:lrth(w,,~¥pl'?Fer wh~t "~j Q(j)llsidlir. iop.e,.Ii>£. Itlle .. ffi9st (QToodable,PN blt)tn,s .lilllpf, tl)" s.e~:meef;; ~.tll1 Ulcftl.,Tha 'ultlllll!<te,!rlffi!\&$lty, to' (ll' prepare the next of kin for' prisoner repatci,.t.i:QnjJJli':ndj\.~h~,

~e!liJl~i1I.'Q.f' I\r/l1:ll\b.il;~'d1 O~:~O;i.llWh. ·1'l'Iisr.,~ef.,t,ai.n. LtQ" h~ .Illli.t. ~,'diff. ft. ~~!;.'fl'Qm .. tl¥4 (1l1'ila1{, ,the 1 ~Jj,lM11Yir -re;!)!l$)ilW1;>,Qf,itr , <l\ll<!lJ (~VIJ.lili\ .;W.op llt,QllltYjl.l~Wl~jJl~ ~i the very real eventuality thltt. the Ulltn lliaynot return. Underuener81 Bowers' office, 'with representation from the offices of the Army ,

, ,

I kp.o]V ,that my s.on and otllllro ,W>e j:lpp,,if .. t)J.~y "r,@, ~till &lin, ",quId .1)8 irr)lne'll'ie\YPvQud.of ,1}1l ,toot ltheiM);e~~~tiVie ~er"ice)l,ha~e <\Qpe to ,!lSS1~t ,tj:leJr ).oYil!} ,one.s!'it 4rlIpe'()iel1t i\IDlYiJ:,he MfIliYw,ill l)eyer .hlw!' .. toP!! as};t\\p:wd ?fits efl'prW jnjli:,,)lJldMmir., 1.WWt.· . . :.

"Gentl/lfIlep., we 'iU'eall "ffiJU,eASelY.J§\'l1tifj.ed :by i\'.o)l.t oo"thmmg aQ,w;erQ. .fR, , r • tj:lj,s" p.er,plellip,g" ,Pl""b, 18m. :J.:h>mk_, 'Y9,U"SP ygry J1l1, u'*': i., i; "Mr. Z"iBr,flCKI.· \l')!m:il< YOl!" A'[J;!!. :p/lwer,..I\i\1i\' J a t,tlw. 'Very. qu,ts~~

c.ongrat)1late, Y.Q)l.' ap.(;L&oJA1)1el)1'l y.o1,1 f9rthe'!'Ill"l1m9\!. ~~sl<: ,tlll»,h)[9<lj; undert.o.ok anef did s.o well. '

Mrs. P.o¥\)il};tfi!. :rhanl\: YOll. i • •• ".i' , ." •

Mr. ZABL.oCKI. And t.o c.ommend y.ou f.or your services not only to j;hei"'ilis~ing:.in ,a<;ti.oi>. and .prisoners oLwarbu t .also ;t.o your' coui1try.r

. youwer61 ia\,pointe,!i';March8, .1.Q7H " " i 1M,rs.iPoWER$.'iYeSj :s1r;\' ,'.!' ' .. ,J'," 'I' '';~ t . Mr. ruBL~Ol<a. HoW' QQl,lgwlUl .that llftei" your i)hpr~BB,i"e ""iiiiit.

WIth the 'VI8im:Qus.generalB~oi,the·''Vllst stotal· of.iit&J)g? " ,i, ", ,ri"

i' Mrs.·,iR0wIllRI;\;' 1.1;,,1k8d: with "G"ner.al i Faln",raw' ,the, .,othcws<m Oot.ober,. and' at that : time'they . una~v.took', a,.veDy' 'intensi'Ve ,s1ilill1r' and made s'Ome changes," .f1'h~ ',fust"~eing ithe ,llli~ cl1ange,'fol'"the assistance 'oflilceF,, il:nd that:he ~eifl.eld,ig'ad(j iva*/ifJ!oss'blel, ",

Mr .. ZAB;LoGK<.'Cel'~ainl\Ytlie repo~ty~u':h~vei;l;yen t<i>;t)1~" s1l'b~ c.ommittee.l.· bne·wewant t.o thank :y:oufor, and '<llil.whihh we 'now ,:kay!' certain"questlQns.'" I, ," i I.;; ,:" ' .. ,(' :,) '''(.'' .,", (I) 'J)

, 'Foreltanlple,wh;r was ,the Amiyiinitially so' dMi<ji6n~' in, estalbllsh" ~gani1', ~aiI,1~ai~li,J~ Iilea~in~fwl~~~1II~lli?~t~r~!:;~thi:li~,e! '~~!Y:

MIAfiallii1ies, . pru.'thiultitlY ih' vl~w Qf'~ln\ir frtrstrations • arid man)' unanswered questions? .. ' .... . ....., . . Mrs: F6~kRS. Well,. I feel·tliis·is tli:esame With other serVices, too,

~il',not .. jll~jjthe Army; I thirik thMe w.as .. · the.labkof guidelities. N ev~l' 1\\If6rlH1I6Ur lil~toryhave we had'so many men tnisslng or captut~i:t for sollmg' i\; pe~oll' 6f' time. . ' .• .' . , '. ' .. ' .. Another. reas6nis .theproJile of. the' soldier's next bfkiri: nonde­pelld'entparefit. ~nd young wives who, for the¥ds~ part,dbnot .kilo;\' how to .. make thell' needs known. I put myself m tliait category m tlie ):ieglrifiiilg,T jliolIld say "Iso that the J;hachinery oIthe ser'vIces had j'Ullff'fi'e'V'ei' ']jeell geared' fot tliis . situation. It'ali lS:ck of knowledge on both sides.. .. ' .. .. .'

For instance, I wanted to COme to Washingtoh 2, weeks after I was notified of my BOil beirig missing. ~, in niy i'gti6ral1ce, was slll'ethe A=y would not see me ahtttMt Iwotrldhave to ]jila~down doors. .... '. '.1 (!itlled'Senatot' Goldwater,whdwas then' my Sen.a:tbr,ll,nd he said; '''W ~1l',M1's. Powers: !lIt yotr 1'1.:. y~ to db 'is come' to Wasbington, tli:ey will be delighted to talk wlth Ybu:" "." ..,. . '

I Was astounded, and I think I am a fairlysophisticaM'd·iildividual. Mr. ZABLOCKI. That is surprising. After all, the military are also

parents. "l..li,' .- ,,', ? _.' - ", ,',\.' ",'" '1,'-

Mr~. POW.ERS. Y ~s,true/rhis is true, SIT. . ..... .... . . . . '~r.·ZAB:LbC'Ki. Ofi. age .10' YO!! ,·c{)Jumeiidtll.e .Ai'ri). ·.···f6r fo\·rtJ).n a~Jil~6j'a:jtaM{ for,qe q~tg~d:»,ithh~,!dlf1\*: Wli,:~ 1ou:d~~pq~e a~o~~ ot €lI.e Mo~t fo\.'\I:hdable proilems all ofotlieservwes ~t)llfI!ge,andJio\.i i~~~cln;i:6~~~,tpro?lem is to. prerllf~ theneJ;:Hf 'kiri fo*,prisonet

i"1VlJa~ J~il:6tly.d,o~~ that invqhi~?"·' '......".'.. . ': <' ,:."',, "" ,; , , .'" I',', ' .. " ,/., , '"

,"u t, I', ':. r iiE'pA1itiiTIQ--~, ~XSK,FOjt_6J{F(>lt¥ED,I!\: ' ; I ':-1', !.', " _, ," '!', ,.:' i.' :~,j., ','" ','" ,'-"",1"' .

NPr~. 'POWERS;' A:.s' yoll'kn\:lw,it isgoitlg{obe9;ciillliltbJiS1)'6ck for We' prlsunei' ~"he\\' he' c'llfu'es'!\ack';" a!iild 'tJiiit' tile' young! himdsbw<l man that went overse",s will be coming back a .far older m'liiY\1iW ti'aiUill'!htilJ'<lx\,>lI!'1erlMS:' . ".1',. '., . "'.' " ". •

·,,,tH·may,just e;si anel<~t/lphj~'th~'littllrl~dy w·tllt\ yelfow d~Ma th~~erl'B1'6nila: Ra"'en'e~aft,. Wife .6f'Sgt': J all"js' 'It::RaVel'i~raft; is .. v~i'Y typIcal of our . young Arifiy Wives. Her· hUll1Yani}'h!uH"eEltl!lillsiltli~ fbI' o~e.r!.:3 .YIl·tliJ!s .. 8h,,' is' now J.UgV 2Z;.arrd! th~:y .w.erelii$Jlri¢d· only 10 ..... ~aya ",11M he 'WenttivetsaiIiB. '. ..... .......• ". . .' "

I t is going ·to]j~ trlttimatie f6r' h'e'l" MIen she c'pmes' in~o'·tll'e'fi,t'st me~~in!1.Sh\\· wilt have' to make ,adj'n'sfu:irertti!' tb· t1iis,lli'an; She' ne'e<ts help .'no. W. Sl:\'El' ",eeds help'. 'to know '."'haUher. 'f~eli1lgs' ara.d

goiiigotci'l!e and more'e\ijJebillilly WHat. we el<peC~l)t8!feel\\\~'Wilr'.1\. ~s'o'th'a;t tli\!)! Bilby. Pi\)J!:i 1!lp·.lj.nd'fesumetheITnie,trilldlifetoge1ffiW, '..":. '.' '~tl.f8g<'>\llgtio/be a:ofant~sti()'adjils't!l'ile!tif(jti:both'siil\jl"i: sm;. ': .. Mr. /'ZlI'IlDM:rt(; ,,\9'1lrilig'y'oilrvisi1i 1lldM 1ami1'ieli ' R,l'rttcula:tly t!lll Wi. " ve'1f, d .. illY6~i fil\.d'tha1i~' any. •. 6f't1;ieifi.·. Hii.VI" e r Cl. '8CI.".deB:.· t:o· assliilie·tlhl,ll tJ!l,Ill"hilsli.m9.' 'Walfde'attlt' l'!' Wit%' tj.l1'e'ady"re,&.!M'l ~d?" ',' '. ' Ii. :. 'ThisWtlu!\J\'alsW']j'e·ft'p Oblem," "... .. , -~[f.:"'." .. , , .••.• !" ..

M~s. POWERS. No, SIT. I have J?und.1t f~w t~t.~!l<;re divorce,<fWlifi'~ the Cll'cumstances were suell,'~a't1ll\ey .f!!l'jf,ji '/lfti'~I(~asl~~t't4ey wanted. I have found by alid'IW!le'.t~~(:'~?i tI'~)w!'~~~,'II~,\\<jl'lfet,ed,

·Mr.::aRO.0!i1FlliltD.I'J1hank·y@\Ii;)~4~,.Ohairnl.an".,.1 .... ,: ."," , , I, too, want .to join with :our;Chairman.in ,commending ,you ·for aj

very fine statement this morning,. .• " .', ,; , .. '., ..; . . .I woMild like. ,to, tUrn toanothev. ,aspeot· of.tlbis pvoblem, howev,er,

Mrs. fawer".', , . ,.. . .. . . ".' . . . , Mrs, .Powers, you· mentionedth"t . you did .to.ul," the United .States·

quite extensively .l>Dd 'haliLi"ll@LthesepersonW].:v'sits,Let's.talk for ,a.. few mements ahout their attitude toward the waI!. Has ·that: ohanged? Do .they feel that. different .steps should. he . ·taken now? . Hl!ive they: become',so.,frustrated·that they feel :that. we should ·withdraw im­mediately? What is their. concern for the· present· government in Saigon? ..' 'f ,.

Mrs. POWERS. I am awfully gladyou asked mathis,sir, because­I shall not '11:)' surprisiIlgly-:-but Jfound,as IIIlade these trips­remember) agam we are dealing with the older parents that have been through the. depression and World War ,II and so forth~they have. grellt faith in our. GoverI).JiRent, the. thought. being,. ~'They know·what theiredoing and if·we cannot. tl'llst.them we,cann(')t trust anybody!'

Lhave found this true throughout. , Ouwithdrawal, because so many of our men are missing the· feel­

ing is, "Good God, don't withdl'aw\mtil we have had I>D accounting of the missing." '.

Mr. BROO\llIl'IlllLD, Well, I c.an.appreoiate theY'probably.think. the administration is windi.ng down .the . war but. whM I primarily had reference to was the shameful situation that 'pl'evailsill Saigon toda.y with one iml1n running .for election without epposition. .. .

Did you run intoan:l'conversl1tion.·on; that &Spent''' .... . Mrs. PowlllRs.N:o., ;Slr, I .did u@t .. No"Idid I)@L .. I£eUIldthl1t the

parents aud wives were sOreager t@ .. talkabouMheir ovmsitua.tionand their loved ones that really honestly, politics, knowledgeability of the policies in Southe.ast Asia,and this so~to£thing,was.seldom mentioned.

l'1,. BROO\llFIELD. pid you detect. that any of them had strong feehngs regarding settmg a date for wIthdrawal?'· .

, '.': .. 'I !

LEAGUE REMAINS HUMAN1TAiuAN ; ,;" i . ~ : ';, ' ."

. Mr. POWlilRSo.No, sir,! did;not. Wellntes,I found a £ew;uaturally. As you probably .ararwelL aware,yesteDday"our I.eague.ef: Families v0.tedtoretainour.Jeague .. as·humanitarian,· taking U0' steps .or· any policy guidelines,abeut.settinga.w1thdrll!wal date""!1 .. ;, ".' •

. I found nhis in tlJlliofmy visits with the families aud'mainly"lthihk,. because most of our men ~e'missing" .' . '.' '. . , .. , .:i;

Mr. BiR.oO~.FIELD"'Whllit is·yo~:. personal. £eeling .. Fegatding senting a date for w,Ithd~awaJ.?:Do you thmk. that.,would speed'up ,tlie.retlll'l'1 o£.the prisimersi of ",ar.?, i ,; . ,f· ,. ..: ,.:: ..' .' ....,'

Mrs. POWERS. I would like to answer rou as I answered ~he,.press when. I went, ",round the .country:. When fl. put my.self: in the !?candS' of my d.entist,I my, doctor, or,cmy.].aw:ver." I.:don"tl te!l.him.ib.ow to·;f!J1 ;roy; teeth" .. take.out .myuappendioc" or draw .my wiJ:l,;I 1;IrUst.yougsultleIIlenj I trust my governmen~, Lhlwe,·to ... I ·ddn',t,:know,:hQw'ito.·run', this' oountr:J".Ji vate fer. you" .Yon run it foyme, Y;Qu!ne experts.:ar1drl, trust you/Oil Ld.idnlt, ~'d.vo,te for,someGne .else·,nel<ktiIIle;, .." .I.: I ... "! ', .. 1.:

t• Mr;' ~i!i0.o\ll!l!rEtD.L iS0metimeB. tliink tllei.,Q0Jlll;vess"uee!'lSJlhelpr ;too. think Bometimeswe have got. to.o· . .m~y,iarIIlohair,·:gtmeDMS, as lit;isl

98'

. In, conclusi9n, I want, tG,iYersonllt\y '(w)l)ghl,tulateMr.ZilJJoM6ki. He·

's on~ of 'the J<iegt' SUb~OUlUllttee eb:iI:I~men 'Iti,t'i)O'lirgtess. ' '0'1 "",' I •

Mrs. POWERS. Yes, I certainly a!p:Al6ll;1.) I', ," In ",.'

,·Mr.'S!IWG~I(IIJ!l.Il·,i'Nfr;,-:llaM\1I~kt"lilt~f11!yeen one who,'.lia,H!>'Mn in­

tense)y intere~ted ,in. this subject. I appr~ciatethese h<!ltri:n~~an,r

eevtOO'lly, r: tlimki It ',s ,'sO' itnip~~MilljtltbatllWtl'lb:ear' 'from ,th@"d,liferent

members 'Who ,fIXe' <!liredllIY'invQlv:"d1Wi<tlHlth!iaIJ[! dilJUdnly ass'lre'Y"'" that as fall' as4hi. 'subcommittee',rs I co'nc'mnedltilli Mus, both!:Repub­lieans,ilJUd Democrats, 'wantt'o do :whilit iSi':beiili.LWe' want to· 'maike

s1!lre, thai1iwe Ih,,>'e· I.,;It eanly ending 'ofl the war' aiti2l' 'aillo therewTn 'of' these prisoners,'and lalsa, the ,misSing:in' action.": , ,," ',<I" "

~:~~l;~;s~f,iEha':tlf~ou, 'i '", ,', ",.: "", ',' ",' ,,' '

Mill: ZnLocmI;' hvllItMdthaIikim:r'· good 'frieri'lithe gentleru:anfr01:l'i MielilrgaJ!ll; Mr.i B~0O'mtjjieldi'£or<hislkind ~emitrkg, I'W,.r.tto'lOeiltai«lY'

et1l!phal;liz\.l howe~epunatth"'chaihria:l¥ ,is'onlJ"as 'goodlilS' afe' thtl mem­

bers of 'his iiortihlittee; and! I'hav<);lfinil' 'M'0pll1'atio'rr' irom 'ail'bfuhe'

ill.emlrers "fthe' 9ubeomIllittae," !?i\;rtiicuI1lJl'1S' in' this :areR:c,of· 't!ml"d'eep' concern. ,,:\,)!', jll "i iii",,' .;;,\,' Li:"i)'! '.J ;t.\

." 'Mr;· Davis?,,' , 'i' ~1·).11 ", .• , '" i(:~;<!i c, .".' ,':;";,~l ii;-,'Ii':' 'f~ 'ion 1'<)

,'.M!r:Ji>kvISr Thllnk;y'0w,Mr:,(Jhairtilltfli.' ; n":' ,i",'" ;, H,I ,I" i,

I would like to associate myself with the remarks 'thu~yo(( made'

in'yahriiopet\ihgi sllllltemeht, :1 lagtee: with'them, fOo 'p~tM1l.t' • ." {! ) I

i, ,i[ ar:lol want' tio th~1i1k Mrs,']?owe)wforl 'a 'most! aolIipre>hlll1siveiaIid

most e"'lightiening'sMtemen~.':" ,i'''''' i ,.,;" "1'1' ":! i ".,,, ':, "". "

I had one qlllost10ri ,Ofl two '0c!>ncel'riing: the· 'delay ,th.at':is'tin'<witable

of, course in repoiit1n~"th!1t 'ill ji>ers.c!>ll is'JIIl,iasing .. i" ,'"'' ", .. "" " '" ; , ,:D0'yduifit1l<i an.y big <ilitFetenc& ,nl,llheitJimesP'Il>la. £>f/th<!::d0~llIY'betwoen

aM' 'aiIFcNlift' tlral;lw'anil 11: b'alIti\l'<it\sU'roWy'i' for,insUIUl)e?<,'· . j'. l,!!, i': "'.' (

'", ";.., .:':::.':'", ';' ~;' ,! ,:' _' ~ ',':, ~: ( 'f ,':.::: ;-.'" '.,' i '/:!, ,,', ;:; Jr ":,' 1 :,' , ,'(); ',: " ,

i,' "'BIl)J\iRIl'IO)l'1.1N'<iitl'I,lw'OOP(i):ivlYE:&IiiAiuSTE)'J' ,I' "'I ,.,": '()II' ".; . -'I' I" ",' ;' ". ' "I' ; 'r '(

Mrs. POWERS. No, ';Sir', JfiJ:iIi<lj1:lf"~,,plWi,ri,,-!l!\d!thi,~:i~.IlPn;tetJ;;hig,,! told the Army that I felt we should make a point to tell these familias­

you could not belioy.OJ 'th,e,e",hli'~!ltivetilPive.tigi1tio!l' that goes into the, report of the board of inquiry. ,t ilLwa:&, !lIlla:~M, U.s lli '~elnt, th,rQugli themes. iA.1I\y, pet's",]]' tl'1B11l hilS', the slightest llinowlecl-g~ about~hel!0ircumBtan.Ctl~th·eDe'1im.\Li ,be' to I heli.

olljJtel!Jl !rovering above, th:e oaSwalty-eao!r,personcis,intenv:iewe<LaIJild.

makes a sworn statement;' He:trlwy, be ruiles:d'vem!rwhmie' !vho' 1i!Oit~Qi

Q~ 'inquiicy' is 'beihg<lteld. 110m", ~ 'ha va· gone'@n .. leaV1~' thil; next, Ully. He may have returned to the UnlM'd"Statesl .. ' ", "no',' "',L,! ' c',

""mll.e boaM 'does'ndtiinMie its fim:clingsl a'FId Mecommen'd<i1tl!on.untiJ:

8Illeil,"anciie¥er:t' 011,8 ol"these, are· obtai<lyoi2l ,Mid: JtJh'1>DI!)ugh1;y l'e:Vie~veik

;:~~;~&~ sent, dowl' to ~eadq~",::ers in !i~~~~~ jW~D~',~~t}$'~~~m

" It mtt& ""A sent baa/!! tortbei b@'IIII1d:!with :"ill ;wanti:\,0U!tl»'rusiltii!p,l!'cialist 41

si;pancl\'gol whaita;bolli!l,this\,'!,and: Sa' forti;t,so·tb:at:by ti;t~· tmielit: $~ts

tonWallliWrgtOlli &cterw sinj;>lll' thing: known ,biv' 'e"e~:l'bqilJyin;yoitv,ed :18 'ill! uhis file., 'libislis:bh:e,rea's<ln.fOr ~he',lIlngrbh:o~ timerJ'jI"",r; '1:,' ,,',,1 :

,Mi,h~riIrtll;lkl ~'th fainili~S'wht<rll.It<il not received,.tlIe·lettsl' Jf ,ojDb1llIl!lIt+>

stances, 88 it is called,:arld'wersJ:,coraWiling,'t)wwroIlFl, aI'1lelJi~~r~

ton~hllinLi~li'Y"th~'4\l1~; it~e!y ': 'lulT<1l<erlltan'<lling.dl1b:e!l'lsIllilJlSl ':W,ell!i ' li:;had 'nx)f:fui:aarthisJIs'whwtJ.;}s,".Q'Olflg!'O]l/"- ':': 'J ,- H\I !,'r: ,;':')!,{i), I ~-'(f.tl.Ja iLl" <:, i

¥~h;Q~VJ&,. JililllitMligre,E\:wi.~h. il'9"'1' ~ (~!,<v.e,hd iplirS"IlJ>! :e!<pevi'ence wlMh ihMII~d: ,J)1l,e"i)!i> ,tJiI~II$6merl ~OM!lllil.@h, Ithllt, j)[OIlt hi>VlEN·.eachedl !J;ltlm"b", tilltti~hl\;r,'ljlont~' amdliru:ly;icompneaeiih'liwe;: "j, ".' ", .. .L,' I ... '1'

.',;M;r~.i'OW'lll:n.S.~Oh',)ure&.,· -i"~~!I');\"""""; ":\'.::;-~;'I ';" "'; J.;',1-, :",,:

Mr. ;r;>..,V!~".y Q!J!isimIl>IYlicou!d IQot. ask£or Ili\Oved: :. .,. ,i .,,'

.:r j.us.t 11Wi>!ldefednlu)W~i\'er",j£ it is;I''Qssible ,tQlghre 1!'<lliillterhn iI1epol1u when important facts are well known and the onlyl,thidg.del"wingthe l)'ePO:I1t. is. l\\llj.Qipg, <iloMrn' fllLo£the i rest .• of. ,the:le"ds' and.nndihgmore peop)ewho m;ight ltnowl.~·little.mQr.e·abo11<t the~\lQi<>lellJt,. is Ithat .. oon"7

Mrs. POWEl\f\. ,Yee,' SIl; •. They· ,do, get., ~n; .111:teIWlu rllpbrt:and !it·. i$ el'pIMne.<>l,·tO: ,them.th,lJ<u j'W,e .. d"n't itnpwa11 the.£'I'<ltsyefl,I'·you see. ,.,:~:.h'r.,Jf>4f\fts_. ,;Y;e$~, ,.-,:.,-', ... ,j, I"~ ;:. \ ... "".'; ;,):. I:'; " "~:;: .! '

Mrs. POWERS. So,y<l$jltheyd<>"The bmy,doa$,e·v:eryJthfui1g"t ,~an It@ keeplthem,j"~W1I!l~qj lwtlwh", (I!i!illOWIl?,Qp.e!lllani Illiglht sae oXle,thing: and y~t.,th~e~119th!iW,,11)~Jl,)1;i~t .seesollle,thing, eIBe;·.s\l·YQu •. cal'>'l\0lt s~y ,a.t ·this point, "This is what happened." ........ , ". i i • ..,."

Om"y~~"ithey,t~.y.... ", ,. i • i .. , Mr. DAVIs,,,;rhanky<>.u,M,J:.,OhsiVJili\Wl.,)i, ' (. :I;'.

:r.,.r.r .. Z"'Iili\o"lCjj:·I,··GOVlenJlP)".,'J)h()ms0n.,: ""'" .• " , .MI'. T#P:tl/s/:jN.nN#·,questions, ,lY,[r.,Qhairtna)1,,·,i ,'" '"

Mr. ZABLOCKI. Mr. Fulton? "I. ,M~, (E:U~'l'.RJ'lh W:.~.w!llg)a:d to Ja,I\i\'iei:j'i.@,bMe.:J I),JiliIi ~Jad't0iSe0.,thaMhe

.(f:.8.,ArJili\Y01~ mq)fmgl;J,ILt,hel\,die!d~ .. i ,.), .• " . .:.' ) .: , ",; ','". I would like to also compliment the chairman and the membli\l'SI~

f,);J,is,llXlb1lAlllmittee •. li>e.ean~e this.·suQcoID/llittee h~s.,l;1eldi lW~relhellll!i,ugs and has taken more action than any otheJI.,subcOl)1lllhtee <l>LIl;Jil{Jr qomlUittse'of.:j;he·;aouse·orQi,t\;l,e·s'enllte . .', ,.,.:' . ,,: '1: ,'.J}O~YJJUi~~,t ~~'1?"'t' .',,' (,. 'i',11 ',!'"d:" ! ;,'.'

Mrs. POWERS. Yes, sir. .' , ,',' ,·.iN1A>,:J!1V!,\IlQ1f,::W e,rf@e:l·tAlItthe CQnllillliled ·inte~est:QfIYou p,eo,ple,

·~)loo~alljjl'. ith@irellktiv.eslthJ,t.lJ<);e, liters, "is. oll.S @Jthe ,~\lief things.in keeping this matter ~nd this issue beforstQ;e:pJJ;9lic;'llInd"keep,il1g ithe 'l"Xas~ure,o!l·'WQrL<LQP!tilpn."" ., .:<.; ,"', • ,. , ... ': ."

>,vv,ollJd'J'I!lJ(.llJrgf,eewJith that?,. . I.· .. !' '., I ',' Mrs. POWERS. Yes, sir. ,1, ,j '" I, . , ;, /.ii,' Mp, ';F:U~TP!1f.' litia,necesslJ<ry.to moke tliteseiappeliilal\.ces? ' ,l\!frsulj'jil",,:iEliI$. Ahls91utelY.. " .... ,,".' .. ,' '!"!"! .L. "'"

100

. Mr. Fl!'LToN>;,When'Y<1i'!'i?n page' 4, .say"by.\ocation 'of' easuMty, not'one'srogle Army'mants'mNorthVletnam, the'only'areft'we hear much about," do you mean ,b:\, 'tha..t, that" the 'ac~ident' '/jr, easu!llty took place in South Vietnam or otherwise but'noW4hNottltVietnam, or do you mean that'n", single Army'manthat'hasbeen 'a;'dasu,,:\ty in SouthVietnamor'in other areas is now in Notth Vietnaln? What dd you mean, by 'that? " 'i. ' , . '., .. "" ,i','.' ,,'

. Mrs. FOWERS. No; sir; I'cieah that' for the location df'the casualty, We say 100 p~roen't'0f'a~1 o.f'ou~'missingeaptured ar'e in areas other than North VIetnam, This IS unIque only .to,the Army. '. ,

" Mr.]'uvlJoNiW<i>u}di you kindly comment fot', Us' what cooperation the chapl~'s ~orps of the v":,,io,!s service~ .have made with'youand your orgalllzatlOns ,that you'hav:~. contact 'WIth?' ,i .:" ' " , Mrs" FOWERS. Oh; "the chaplams 'Wave i been' magni6:~ent,str.As

an example, on post, of COl'ltse; 'every week they remember'the missing and the Jlrisoners in the prayers.", '. I ." I!,',' '" ,

Also I sugges~ed to the chap!aius at t~e pos~s' kvfsited that a Suuday be set aSIde for the familIes of ·men ill thtllr 'area, ' .. '

For instance, the families that.aresetvedby Fort!Kn0x, that a d':,~c~~l Sunday service be held inh(jnor~f,their :men. It is' now being

Mr;FuLToN.What is the . cooperation oitha 10caY chul'eh and cone greg.ation of these men where they have livedbeiforebeing 1n the serVice? ' , , ' '"", "', " . . " Mrs, POWERS. Well, now,· sir,. I 'really don't' have' an>,answer 'on that.~ really dnn't'!mow. ", 'cc . . I.,." , iC:, ''' .

. Mr. FULTON. Should ~here'notbe 'linM ofcbrilmuni.cation set'.up With the local congregatIOns as well so that. they we InOh1ded WIth the men's families? ' " " .' " ' ,', " "

'Mrs. POw~lRs:We'hav:efound that .lh?sti <7fthe local c6~!1"egMiion~ are 'very' actlve III the pl'lsonerand mISSIng Issue 'on coHectmgletMrs and petitions and signatures. ' ,,'

Mr. FULTON. On page 5 you say that. !'The situation is :uuder­standable viewed in the light that until this' adciinistr9;tion' the ' eIitire POW/MIA issue Was kept hush-hush." .., .' ' ". '

You mean really that thiS: situation was, not made part'oHhe' U.S. Government policy in dealing with the Southea;st· Asiago'lilirntrients on foreign policy questions?

Mrs. POWERS. :I: 'had lffiyJeftgIle, hat onnthel'e, sir, and as I read it 0v:e~, as \,consuljt";llt for t!:e Army I should nO,thave 81!-id."the ad-In1lJ.1StratIOn" so ohanged:lt; , ' .. '. ....' .. ' ", ,

;No; I think)'ou havebetter w!t~esse~rigjJ.. t. h. Eir!l.a ... b~. ~t.,tM. po)icy., As you know, my son'became Ih\S8Illg'Ill4;prl! of '1969. As'! under­stood. it before that time you JUSt didn't talk about ,the' issue;iti'was fillt We didn'tJ'want to'give the othei'sidea't\vo~\)dged swotd; " . Mr. F,ULTON. The officials didn't waht'td in'ak'e"duT'concefn: known-'-'" ' I' ",\:!,,,, . :1', ,i, \

, '};frs. PinvERS:':aight ......• ,:, " .. ' ,,',:, ,'''' , Mr .. FULTO>l, (c()htinuingY:!:5eCllllS~it rtlight' have ~lllr "ef/'eetd,1i

negbtUttions?'"' ",! '.', ~",:i ':' :r:' '" ,J'I,:''': I., :,:.1\" '::,r ,-;"f '!;JI,;Li~ '1')'\(,!

:;MTil,'PtlwERB:Yes','Sir:; I1rtditdidn"t\vork!" ,J ,oJ ·li'.ij" , ,

Mr. FULTON. I am glad to advise YOt!'tI).Mt1>iliBUhCbirt~M !19ok th~ opposite P?sition and we .not ~nly h.ad'ilI~.oti'ofr,1io.Jre6\l itf.l'p~ thIS subcommIttee on the NIXOn'd(jctl'lne"whi~h:JJW'a"cadbfi~etl'lllialll-

[01

)rtously .. by tA1'I 'l'[ous~, bllt we also had the resplution of the .chairman of this ~ubco!llllltttellJ M,r. Zabl<;>cki,. which. wll,'3 ,p. as. sed .unani)rtol.lf>\Y.

Was It not, Mr. uhamnan? ..', .. '" . ," ".Mr.Z"I1"~>C"~' That is ·cQrrect" .. ,' .

MFS. ,PowElls" X es,sir. ' .

.. , "LtNK~owIMI~ Qt!ESTIOl'l W~TH,HIGH POLicY." ',' _ _ ,~' , ", ' " , ' ' : , ,';:: r , " !' " : ~ ,

'. Mr. FULTON" So that .. we h. a.ve t.lJ.l}:. e.l1. the .posit. ion '~.I ha~ . there.' . should be affirmative emph!lSis qn the missing in. action and prisoner-of-war situation and that it shoum be linked with the'highest policy of this OO,vermnentin dealing .. in .. foreign .policy ~\ {3oj1theast Asia, botli·in 'Vietnam 'Illdelsewhere;... . .... . ...... .." •. ' . . . .. .

The elsewhere is under the Nixon docttlne'so that it is part of the N .. ixoIl.do .. c~rin~ ,t9b .. e .app.li. ·ed. whe .. r. ever it a. Ppl.iesalJ over thewor.ld.

Would you agree WIth. that? . . .... . . , , Mrs. POWE.RS, Yes,.i,ndeed, sir, 1wOlII<.1 i\gree. . .'. ..: : Mr., FVL't.ol-t, Y6uare oneoUhe hest witnesseswe·lia",e hadb,ere /Iildwe all sympathi~e with you 91) your loss,lt,tl\kes. couri\ge to keep going and to keep making these represent"tionsa)l,d. to)rtake appearc ",;nces when it ,bTIIlgs btl?k'tlie m~m6ries,·ancl I s~y tliat for each of the rilllltiveswhp are present. . . ' . '.' .' . .' , Can I go olt thil record, Mr .. Chairjnan1., ' .' Mr. Z""LOCj{I. 'Yes, '. '.. .'. . ' . · (Discu~$ioll0f!' the ;record.) .... . '.'

Mr. ZABLOCRJ. Any further questIOns?, ,)\1~.1fUwoN, 1,'hank XO)l very mucli., '.... ... .... .' '.

'. ,1'~li~wwlj!'~tafee\ing of felloW sYIl1p~t\1:r .~nd r~ali~ing 'o/hatYQq M.t).p I.e. ar .. eg.o.mgthron.gh. ' .. '.'. . .. :", •. ; .. M~,. Pb'Yl!lR~. Thl'nk you, SIr..' . · Mr, Z"BLOcKI:Thank you, Mrs. Powers. .. ' ... " , , ~ e h'?l1e. t\1att:¥.?lJ,~ijl remaill . and after ,wa h~ar Mrs. Stock4a~e. ;ltll~ lM.rJl,.,~qtt)il\1':s:wer i\tny,(urther .<;IU~stlOl)s that ~re asked-+lf yol.lr tIme permIts, of course. '. . ..... .' . ,

,¥rs. PP.wERs~ .. T)1a,!-kyou. . ..... ,.' . , .. '. . .' .• '. ' .. · ,.1 h!llyea.)rteeting· Wlt\lGeneral, Wes.tmorelandat tiw Statler HiltQn. ~).tihtJ~ bk~f9re.n?0n'I.would liketo.st~yaslong '1sl;can. .,

i an you, Slr. ' ,. " . L

Mr. Z"BLOCKI. Among the provisions of House Concurrent Reso~ lution 374 is a plea, .to permittlie free, exch.ru;lge of mail between prisoners and their families-the' barest niinimum lifeline of com-munication.' ,.' • . . '" , .. , ',... " .' .. , ' .' Recently, .,tlie .jlow .of mail froUl the pris~l),erst<!>theidamil\es .has

sl,c;>wed,' t9i a· yjrtu",l, st9p., ' Aside ,(rom the hthl1lI\alle na~ure. of,tha t' actIOn on the part of tlie N orth.:v:ietl1ameseithere~re :l'amecl '8xplaua,,­tiQl;lS .of N\lr~h "Vietn~njl's, i)rtOtjYIlS 'and· obje~tJrvesin "witliholcllng !Il{lcll. i , " " . • 'i • .• " "':" .• ;' :.' .. '" ,t ... "'" ,.i· .i',' ,.l!pur!lel't:witn~E~es h~ve .ag~ee(!. to. sha!e with us SO);li.erMthei~ c9nciuSI!'nSpn tliis ,ques,tlolJ, of,UlaIl. .. ,' ,,,,,,,,, .. ,,.,. ,,' ,. "" " ...... ' i,,')7h'ey.ar.,'hMrs. $ybil S,toc\tda)@of Oor,oI\a<!q, (1l\liJL, and,l\Ws,:Cqr,o)e

North of vvellfleet, Mass.. .'.,:,:'h!, ."Mr.1' Stookp/):le, .~s, itqa. fo\linderi @\iill ifi!'~t :!lre~ldetit .!)~ I ,tlie! Natwnal

LAe!, .. ~~. qt,;Va~. ,j,eM).~ ,AmiiJ:iG)J;J),rliiljsonew. iMP,Jyf,js~g()i!lISoqthQIll>. .1;­. sIa-now meeting in' "W:ashmgton. Her husband 18 a U.S. Navy captain and pilot who has been a prisoner since September of 1965.

102

;. Mrs, 'N Ol'tIh's husband" A:itFor~eMaj.' EenMth ;N oritJh, 'ha:s'betlti

Ili,prisonsr since August 1', 1 il66"Shels :Dre~erlllIYQhtii~)l;iIl:!1Of: Ul;ie ;bq\1ttl of the National League of Families .. ' ' ' '.'l\' ',:" ';

I should explain at this point that 'Mrs: iJol>nVhisan, whdwas' ~lso

scheduled to testify this morning, has asked to 'beexcused.''i\'s'n"tr6nal

coordinator of the National League of Families, Mrs. Vinson has many

pressing duties' in connectiall 'with the lLeague's' current national

)Ileetjng. ~\lt;I.~m gure th\1~the two 'Yi~~e~se8 before .\'~ ,'l\il1,!"bly

pre'*lnt the poihtIP!, ()fthe ,League." '., ,".' ' :Mrs. St()ckil,ale,ifyojl, w,ill pI:Oileed mst; please: '. :

- - - ,,'. 1 :' ,', , ,: \', -'_,' - 0,'1 ,,! - ,

'BTATE'MiENT OF MRl!I.3'AMESB.IST()CKDALE, ;FO:U:ND~~NA'rI()t-l:~~ ,I,l'/,4,GUj!: O~FAM~I;&S ' ' ,

Mrs. S~OCkDALE. Mr, Chainiian, IW\1!lt to ,ll~~il by ,tjl"D,k;i»~ iYo~ and the D!-embers of YPUr ~om!"i~t~e ,for your sus.t!l;in~<:\,i~teFestl!, :the

~velf.ar. e. 0.1 0 .. u,r m .. en. who ,are p. r~s.,. \1n. ~r. 8.0£ w.!1!'. and .. l\'.,.'.SJlmg.'.!J.\\C.t'.O. ' .. 1\.', ) must ,ad\ilitthat w)leI).;t ~estIfted beforeil[ou: ,iii Ml,1y,ofW.70,).i\iq

no,te.xpe.ct.t~ ... a .. t.l .. w. 9.\ildh .. ·~.v .. e .. to.d .. O.,. ~i) .. \\.gl,11.'.:.r) .. J .. h.,.9. pe ... d.o .. J.,<iOw.,.s~ tl\i>N.:.?Y .. )low the problem io/Q'ild, naye been resolved., :, ..

. My husband has been a prisioner of war n"w for 'll:0re tb.l}I).. 6 ~\'~

and I know I do not ueed to i/llP,ress~oJ<l yo\). tile ":I).gui~ll'$,Rn1f1rl,Y, of us feel about what seems like an endless separa(.ion ... ',,, .. .. J

I regret to say that events over the past ye!¥' Jtav/1 I)othcjl);>~\i t~Ii~ve

the !'dnguibslh for many of usb'l.~. ol}th~ P'IJrJ,trllf';l'. h~y~ ~~cr~as~4 it ConSl era y. , ' "'" " _, "

. Duril}g ~970, l!':!\ilfroI)lp,u;.jh~n increas~d.~t;!\nu\!pr~pedeI).t~.\i: r~te, irlD!-0s.t all of WhIC~ WitS delivered thrOUI5'!- ~lie Co~t~e~ of, J.4!~j~9.\!' Th,s mcreased mMI flow was much pubhcI~ed by ~he.OO)Il'll:'t~e"lof

~1::;Il :;~i~~~s~eneral impression today)s th!1t,~h\S.i1:lcF~~s~a fl,ow

:.:rh"t im.p'ieesjoI)., ho"'e"I\±-,i8. cOI)lplet,elyii>c9qt1ct: i}n,4 r t~~/' t~lt~ It IS~ety Important fdr y~)U to know that tAe. m!l;'1Htoll,l ~\1r,.W!l~i'\'\\\~ drastICally decreased durIng 1971. .' , " ........ ,',., .

. II). the first 6 mQ;tths of ~970, ,over .l-,009l<1tters~ere M)ive~e,ffrpm

OUt men but d.'mng th~ same ,Pepoll II). 1971, . ~ppro~p:I'~~elY \~p? le~ters were delrvered.Even fewer letters are beIng ,r,e~wv,e\i ,~\'\tlllg thIS s,econd half of 1971. ' .' .

)"'" 1\

1971 l\l. AIL DELIVEI'Y REDUCEp' .,. . .' ,', ' " ,

I will digress from my printe\l. text. and sitY sirwe ¥arch of.tJilEi year less than 200 'lettemi"have beenreceived'fiom thejhen .. ' .,j'

I personally received :l!i letters fT~I)l'myb;ushaI).d during ,1'970"'-'6~e'

wvitten,'d4ring ,eachjhdnthof that Year. . . "" ,,'" "",:1

"Durihg, ~971, I h>lV'e received only one 'letter 'from my hUsb,lifiH

written in the month of January. The Oom;mittee oj LiaisoniWeg

1l.otpubli?ize t,\,e fa:ot th~t' B? fe;'" letterBl!:reb'eiP:~' dellyer,~4: 'thi~

y!'ar .and In ~h~Ir c()l;llm':lJ;llc~tlO~~to ~he' faII)'lli~s,~~tl:v ~l\i.pha:s~~e. :jjlle

n110ber elmatl ,dehveFl~J'rather ,than: the' nUlll'be:rQr,letP~sb~}~ delivered. . . .' ..', .' " ;;"n ,0,

, Typicitl'deli'V'eJ!i~~; 'in:,1971;.·.'ill<!litdeidX/ly' ~.' 4:,MteJ'~: d~):~,8: letters,

whereas .'ill :'19\\o(e,&n:e!del;V'~4~S ."artie!). ?3~~ifll;~!;\h~~~~~~11e~~e~li::~;i! .. 1" 1-, ': ,-, :' ·"\'1' !'J \,H,~;;\,""

: u 'Eh" '€lomliitittlJe"<I>f Liaison<,alecll s,t"tes In: iits August· 197 .,:let,nsr! t<'J rth~':f.a!rn\i1ies~J:}'i ',;' """," -'," 'Id .,,:di«' , .. );" ,

To, answer many of xour inquiries, we do no1FI:)~Heve·,thl(ve; is~ r.ea:~d:hi t6"he hOfi~@r.hetl',~bOHt';tlie: rllen,wnb':have not' mitt€)nfll'eCen~y lor' frequently)-" "

) ",TIW 'i:i6W.J,i~tlJ~ ',Il~esii6t expia111; li(iw~vef:' ,*,1Iy' t'li~y,'''belfeVe' th~ft\ f,(lldr~1igIiH6"b'~"cot\Beriied,""'"'''' , I,"~" "'.' ,,,I ," , ,,"

Are the North Vietnamese refusing td'an6*tlr~'meti'td'WtI~e eWiIl t'H/"!iix 'liW.J\nml!s ~he':l:! tlI. aIm.' 'is .. tb'e' , 'Je~'}' iJ'V'iderrc. e' 'o.·.f t'hell' "hum!me ·tJfliiitmeIl1'fo'r dU\'mlli\1' "I, .' , . ',", ", """", ',' ',. "

Sur,iil:f i~' wdiiW,b&'coit1Jrhl'j 't6 the' bij:SiC.' c.ophipt' lif hUillanit:y 'ff(\ MM,,' Sd,'t\\\il1:j16('tM 'metitoW\;i'teih 'r97(!iilid' deny this»riV1leg'~ ~n l'Ml. 0tH6 the,Nbttll: ;V'ietD:an\ese'ilJbid~6rilylly liun1itnitaiHll'). stlih'd­ardsWlien 'it serveS" tlleW'pl'opaglmd'a"dtpoliticfiir '6bje'ctl'v'e tddo"so':"" " y, """'" ;",;, , ',' I ","". '

,FIIi'Ve 'th~ 'N .o'l'lili'Vi'~t'n'am¢sedebreas~d Itile fl,i)\v'ofmMi from' tile' ill ~n lii>"mcteliSe th~ ariguish' oFth'e fa1:n11Ws kthky"wijli in turn, exe!H grea,ter pre,~su~e .onPr~~i~~ntNix.o!, td'6a'p\'t\'llat~'t.otheir derl!ands?.',

I'I'.ow can tl\e 'wodd, l\eh,W~ ilfiatthe' N .orihVwtnamese are treatmg (\U~' m'enlllifu'ltrielywhen' ilfie'Y aHow tM'/Ilefl to cdiilIriuillcate with their fahlilfeS' ana tRenalinost! ct)mpletieJ:y cutoff this'c6mll'illini'catl,o'ri plunging every.one int.o a ~tate .of a.g.onized und~tillnty. Why,tilel1 htiv~ 'SO fliwlettel'soeelireceived'froiil'o\1r'mefl in'l!l71? " . " . His" possible'thitt' the 1\)'(\n' tlleiiJselve~ are rMusili/t' to' wHte'''n~

letters because sQmeh.ow they have, bec.ome aware that theit"mruWwlls being' usell"as' ~vil:lence 6f b\i,J:n'atJe' treilt'ffientwhlch they kn.ow' db~s n6'texlst.' ". . " , . . ' . '

"ThiiNbreH'VWtnauJ'ese'areWe1I"awltre 'thlW'they Ihl'vesuMlleded'HI. creating in the minds .of the public the impressi.on that mail is n.ow being received regularly and'frequ.'entlYfrotJi'.our men. Having created that impre~sj.on,.the,.N.orthVjetna1l1esem,ayhave very well r~scinded i,1i,.~ mep.'s,m." aU'ixt',i!"ileg.es.in',ordet eo cr¢('te'tlle€ni~atest ptisSlbill 'ani'61'tnt of l)loet 'am.on' Ule families: "", , " , "', , ,,' " "" . '" . "" '''.' y, ~" .,.,. '. ' " ,'" • , , '

'),li~f~~R ~ROM coi)nlITT~E:AF LiAis.o:N . " "

T.he. Aug,l'st letter from the O.ommitt\j~' '6f l'Jiaisllli'tb th~'falplltlls ¢~>~~I:o~_:~o,'~'aY;:::;,", .. ",." ",I,"" ""," :''-,,'; ,i., • ,') '.,' r ":,1,; ... ,, '/",i ___ '~1

Of cours.e, the longer.tl;1ey stay tl}e Jouger,tht;\we.'q,r an. d te,ar 'cau.',ecCb.' Y slill,'iif.~­t~Wl from Ja~;)y ,.and' G:tilture. Tke sol1itiQll to' that-is 'fbr' 'the' Presiaerl.t to. se,t:'iite d!lt~ ,M'tIlerdt\i! Withdi'A. wal oftr6blSs ltiim'Vie.llii. 'a. pi) sp' thtwpri.so.'ile. ra' I'iiliY'b, ;'."\11 '1l(i)'J}je-teIeaseti.,'l;:-< ,I -' ", ";,' ", .,' ""',.,'; "J! ;_ ,,:1\

Ii hasl:lWn ,aJ'month'l"lld a,haff since tbat solution'has'be~n ayajl",bl.'\lq! the,ilil i~,'8~i1l rplrea]i>ml!~,f'9mW~stli,n~.ppr: M. !lllle, P,ri',.911er,S ,C?!1ld .. , l>~v~,~eeR 4m'r'e.,b,iv no,,: and the a'6couhtl1~g Q(I:t:r;l:ep,mlS~ln,gi~n a~~ipn so ;ma;ny s~e~"%uld,haVe-b€e;n avaIlable" The)\ can stlll'dli bel)lhh'e for OhH,~II\«s.' ."", ., ," J".' ,"'Bti~it is up't6Jeacli'6fW'tb'pressU"the'PreSfd~ht'tb'resp.\td pOs(ti"el;vitb what many ;Am.tlOO~'i' inel1.ldmg' former" See"et~.ry; of; TMel,1se" Cli>r~ i Ql\1l!grdl '\l!! X. 9rtllj~"O ,wc,O)!n.l~e, i~s t)W hoM,.!;>le ,~Olutlo.n,tq ~n end .t,o,the kUhn" a.nd 4estflljlo 'troil arid,to'pre'vent t~.e'1if~t,o,f ~q~,'~'~ri{¥IA::r.JF~~::~6,¥1riri ~ ','j '::.,;'> ':,,:

I beheve that thiS ~.ort .of pressure c.oupled with m.ol),~hs fil,~ i~ii!IDce fr.om .our l.oved .one~ IS, illicGieedlhgdn 1l1a1i:iJ:!g WffiIlY, 0f, ,the:; fa1l1ilies ',ell't.re1l1~ly"Jl!<p,prehensIV'e Ilb.out"the,fut4r,e,;.: ,I" " 'i"""" '"if ,:' i '. I'Tk'·llii!,i¥Jf,Il'Ho'M.Y~mu'nd'oh'ph~,';iti\"wJ.,jdl') " ' "", " i.'! '~fl '."'2 )'<1: ,,:1'1"') ;;. t"::: H;',',: ";:",,'~'f/ .,,' ":)1,1:,1 (,;

,104

, I must also say that what seems ,to' many an apathetic attitude on

the part of Congress and other Government agencies has not helped

,llllevil>te this appreh~n8ion. .. ..., .

For example, more.than a year ago we asked that .acongres8ional

go~mittee forprison,e, of, war. affairskc esta1:>lished .and 1 w\derstood

that we had been assured thIS commIttee would he established. No

~uch committee is in exi~tence.

.. In 1969,. a bill was ptroduced to exempt our me.n. from ]laying

Income ta;" on their milItary pay * * • an exemptio.n I Jeel certain

would have the hearty approval of all the people in this countnr.

Ilundreds and hundreds .of lett.ers were Bent toCongr<1'isman Wilbur

Mi!ls, chairman of the 1V ays ttndMeans CODlII\ittee" aSking that

.actIOn pe taken, on the bill.. To date, no action has heen, taken:

In 1969, we asked l'resident Nixon to establish a task force at tlw

WhiteH.ouse lev. eltpED'to ;find ways to help Ot.1T m. en.W ". w~re told.

that the Prisoner of \'Var Poli~y Committee ill the P~tagon c01.\ld

adeguately handle the problem. . .• . . ..' .

. Now, 2 years later,a task group at the Pentagon J.e;vei has been

est\l,blished. Next year or the year. after will the White H01;llSe conclWle

that a task force at. the highest level is needed, to work t(}ward a

solution pf theprohlelll? '. '. .... .

This record of events 4asnot """ceaded in giving us tl).li\ "I>nlidence

We .need .to believe that the welfare .of our men. is being: gjven high

priority consideration.. . . . ..'. .'. '

. P.S, tr<)<)ps ~r~ cQming hOJille f,om Vietnall'alld weiieiOic~ with

these famIlIes bemg reumt,ed but, needless to say I am sure, It. doe~

pot\nspir~ confi4ence in us that our.ll'enare.going toco:ro,e; liometoo.

"Mlfi~10N IM'POIS'ISIBL'E"

On the contrary, as .the U.s. fightillgfotcesle~ve the a1'eltswher~

our men "re bein~ held, We cannot help but wonder.wheno~ men signed up for "M,ssion Impossible," I could give'yon o;tthe"'examples

but I feel certain that you can understand that the l'eCOrd of our

own Government, as the families see it, is bound to make the families

feel frantic abqut the futllre. .' . ' . '.' , "

. I know that the Members of Congress and all of "Ill," G6verti,!\~n,t

leaders are tired of seeing us and hearing us. It would'be pieMiallter

for 'everyone if we, would go h6melq\d stay there,.' . . .' "

'. Believem"" Mr. ChairpJan, ,yv.efbUld]lMer'.itWat .w'!-y, tQ!'>~

However, I honestly doubt .that IS gomg to happen until.o1lr.prpblem

"has been resolved.Patience;s turning. into Impatience.' There is. a

feeling of desperation among many and 'desperate 'p~bfllewUl 'often

indulge in actIvities they would otherwisespurll":' .. ';., .'

I thank you. and. y6ur c<;Iinmittee .for headng' me, Mr. Chaiwian,

and Iwi>ntto thankyoll ,again foryonr continuing interest in our !'l'enr.

IhoPllwitliallmyhe,,::rt, as ~a*:Bur~Y'()n d(),t~o,~h,,:t.there ~V'll~

no n,eed for :me to come back again next year. .'. " .

':ThaJik ·~b\:t'.·· '. ,',,' "'''<. , "" C:' .H,'" .,' . ,

,. ':Mt.·ZXBLoPKI.'llhank,yi)Ui Mrs:>Stockd&le.: '. ,""" '" ""':i'

Let me assure you, alth0U/iflhve".iiJrs' ,mit: tired"of'Seeillg';YtlU('and

hearing from you, we indM(t~oP~t:h!\t"t4e,;pm.II~e,m,C:l>n,;l)e; ,j'llswved

and if you do come to Washmgton you WIll come and see us on a

different matter.

·105.

Mr$, &rDG"D~LI!l •. Thank;,yoti •.. ,,", ',' ,', ':, . Mi,ZABI,QCI>I., :We:wm hear now bom Mrs . .oar@VN",rtlr'andthen

we will question the two la<!lies as a, tea1ll' . ,Mrs. North,',i£, you ,will ,proceed, please.:

! ~ ,_, .;, :)" . . ) . ), 'i,'.I' . !' < J' '

STATEl\I;ENT OF)w:lI:S, CAROL NORTH,CHAIR)W:AN,OF THE BOARD OF THENATIONALLEAGUEOFFAMlLIES . '

Mrs., NOBl'H. ,Mr. Chairman,members 'of the, 'committee, I ap­preciatethe,opportunity to' speak with youagairi concarning.the lives., '1nd fate of. Aillerican men who:areprisoners and missing in Southeast Asia. Maj. Kenneth W.North, my husband and the IMher, of ourfour <laughters, has been held prisoner in North Vietnam for more than 5 years. ..',.' :,

This is the fourthsessiono!' hearings your committee has h<ltd' relating.to the prisoners of war ,and 'missing ih action in S0utheast, Asia. You are our best listeners and for ,this I, thank you:' .' ,

The National League of Families is in the midst of its second annual meeting, which we had most ,fervently hoped last year would miver take. ph,ce," '., ,'. ' .:

In reading through the records of the previous hearings, . I find that, there is little more' to. saYI it has all been said over and over again :in many, different'ways. Our men have' been, held in captivit;v' for' unconscionably long periods of ,time, The £amilies of the men mIssing. 1,now no 1!lore,uow th.au.theydid 1, year ago, pr5 yearsagQ" ., . The resoJutJon:to the problem, appears . to .:1:ie,no.ne)l.rer"tosolutlOn:

than it did when the first heariAgs t.o<;>k:,pIM\l iu1969".and .no,ne",rer to solutiou,tha!, whe!" this. c"uAtry j\)iniid iI>, formal nego£il\tions with the oth~r sl.d~ In Paris,., .. " l .... '.", .'. "

In the s,ptmg those of us. whqse meuars kuolVn ,pl'lSQuers In No,rth YietnaincoiM 'taW, youthatm~il.l)l,th~previous 1~' moIiths;had' ll1creasedtremendously, .' '.... • '.' ' .. ' .. ' .

At thi~' poil1t iii time 'wecanrepQrt' that'the receipt .of Jllail fro!ll,' thesemeti h~H~dre~se(Uo ~.~.ep6iht p(bejl\g p:~gligible.Ql.'ly .469, !let.ter. s. ha.~b. e.~.,n ... r.,ece.}.ved fr.o,U: .J;a:n.' uarx.thvou.g. ~jl A. lIgus. t .. Qf .. tllls, year .. Last year ~,6'1~pleci)s of inallwere .delivered. ,.,.. .. , In:iighfi!'t~rjilpt\J.ere'that ,the l!1st ~ette~ Ir,eceived·1r Qni .llo/,.

hll.S);lI'nd:w!lSW .... T).tte .. !'. '.l\' F.e.1lln.l!1!.y .... a'ld, .. · W!i.s,~~hv.e.wd,. t.p,ll)<l:m ;M.". liirch. ' through 'the QomJlllttee ou Luuaon,. We. heard, froUt ,mY' hus,band. fop, thefust titn~ last April afMr his being held in caplvity' for '3)\ year~ .and we re?eiv~<!. S,I\\it~rs*r9,ugh ,i1w ella ?f,1astY~'1I:.,. " .

, .':; 'I 1,/,: ,!I!,:' '" .'-" ',' '\: d' (I' . ','" \ )"

, . . ', .•. "MA!~. ~I~W1!TWl'l"?El,'1iI1,'!!?:RAT!,,P: .. " A ~ituation that had seemed to he mucH iili~i'o+'J/l ]\'ah!(\tkri'o~il:t~d!'

to a 10": point once,~ain.l ~a'\'thel,p~u;t wOIl.Q,er ;-vhy, and continue ~o ,agomze over the .lgol~ti'bli 'IiHIi~se men ftom IIll 'aspects of normal hyI,?~.al1dPI~Illm£VHW!fi!iQn,.\"f;·'"'h''' j:":'''lji{' ,,,'I '~I :I,,,,~>\ it"l;;! if . . AneW cau"e or, e.~ce\'!l. Qr t e. mAn /Wl<;!l.\lqr,th ~~e, n~m l~.,

the 1-' .~I't''fl' Il~l[.! . '."'J.':: 1 .,' 'I:t'" f.'t. 1 .; '11'.' t\.. 't " ". I. ~2'. I'll; Fff'l. 'f'n tQ" .rii' . , ~?,. l'lj{{ 9hli"~~\\ 'f9P\',;r ~ Q ,,\WlII)~}ljl !,II} t?IU~'I% ,1\ )'i9fl'jT~~,;t ! ,,~\!~~ f) ,;P~if a" l:il'S,j;,wll1~P,?'W;rl~'*'·vy~,l:P ,t~ffing,tRj~:~~'I~·~~,,; lRtnllJ!\ 1 [/0, .jP~R,. '~'j8'l:i.I'j' ,.11- :tt,..,?~tljl., 7. ,~iP':ltm~~II~helPM.Y~~~ ,I'i\'~, '::',If~~:'~.·i:.,"i..<.'!,!,il) ont d ,ti",j ;'\!,I)'I,! -r l!l\!) ! .\J:itf '\()~ qu :~,j1.!!lr','F~ \u ql'ji

;'(,'p,.)l!iIJ) ~:'ll !f'JUiCil',(,)!lj n'lfh! hHd 'I,unj )311;),

. i ~M.r:'/Zb(JA:()Cmlltift.'a..rtr~.e.<":II; it T fi i it d' ,,'I '1,:j ! i" ,1;..);- ') /i ; )''',;I! "-, Ii" : " .

·,.,Mt .. ·j!1tiilToN,,,Wou[dltfui«lhairmllJl!lymld1?,,: ... 11,,,1: II>:'. IIi·. ' ..... ,.

I: • Mn.«Z,jl.l3ILOoKN ·.li Iwwld, be (glad tl!>)!yi"ldV M",. il!'ultHll .. · ... (." :, I" ,.. "" 1.1 Mr·.: IFULlrdN(,Y''''UI iWant'8oJ!iliething;, dene," Wliat·.doi YOlll'·wantll[Jon.

@les."to 40 ,"pilcifi~rully that'""," hll\velno~ dprie?.'· I ... « '(,,'1, "1,1. "

Mrs, ;SCIl<i>.€OllDAl'lD' Ilwant(yoll (td sst !up:.thaititmguessiorrailicommi,ttee: kM,t,FwllIJONi, I.,thi. ilubcommi~te" not:c1oinglitlgoo<il j".h;(beOlIUS01we

hav,!"mrud mOJ;emeetilllgo ",ml seelllil' to.·biln:fuoremtere.'\;edbthiInJ anybody else.·eitl"it in lllilrel.aenateJ <ilrlltheilliIouse.I.DoIll"ouwah tJ .to, taKe:,it, away; f.l'Ol]}'h u&? ".j;!; L,d I oj f 111' ; ,(-,,:', ; ".' ')','\ l,i~1 i _' I ,.;;1 ~; if '1'\, I';,r, (j L ' ' I ,.

·Mrs;.SJll0.olID;oiIJE)iNOII:ILiihJ.nk tyou .·are do>nglaLwoililder!i\lHob", ,Mr·.'iE'uunOlN .• TIr"n whyr.aOOlOtliterc,o"nnittee?,,,,,·,, .'id, ',;i, , ',) :

., .Mrs,. S'n(J~kriA:lliE .. iBecause','weWJ .. IIlil·a· committee it]'!"t, will WPM' on the: pDobhlJll1', alh. th~Itime! .. 1Eou, 'hOive "other,tlring~ .to! ,do,' 'Mo'" ,youl eanJH)t\ Mrol1']c JOll'litdtlL,the time: ,\ ",; ~,t! fill," ,." 1 ;; 1_.';':;", '" '

,.,Mil!; .FU'IlIPoN, :WeH] there ~'nobodY' iiri,tlie'rHiouse' <l>f I RepueSentativesi thati is n"tliouleither ,melD'; two"other cOJ!nm4tiJe:es;.,aiJ:dlwe·,a~e a: sub­committee of oue of the major committees'.of·,tlreililuuse,: the,II[buse Foteign ·AflIw...l,eommittee,:andf ,w,imld·.say that we'ama' ~'Ilingm6re time· to l~ ,propontionlo,tcillyo. th"'ll:any,othep suhoommitteelof the H01Jlse' in'r,e]ati"n.to,the'o'ther:polioies)~hat, ,rure' bafon. the. II<>llse .. ",." ...•. I Mrs,filT,0~K[)AllJE(1 I, would 11,,1, •• disagree"withyou' thev,!<'at, rull" H0W~

ever, when you examine the prmp0rtionsj ,they 'a'V. ,,<>t veIlJ good." I'. I 'MiI'; RULT,ON';, Welll' iat"·i/ certain,q:,ointi we;C0me ao. 'thel(J,iiesti6n:

mat d@.:y'G",thiilkICottgrsss canl.anclhshould,do? .,.".' ." ,J ... , • '. N ow/m.the s·tatement "fMrsl.North"she says, "·Wi&illave requested',. uvg>etIDllple~d, .,anlibegg>ed, ,the ,Oongress i te> make· ren_~dl'.efforts'to I res@]veithi.,inoolllil·preheJIIsible epl~\! ',ltnd :then.she,sltysl; ,

.All I have left to do is. to now demaI)d that th€' ;,Iect~d' 'Rel't~8kl'lt.l.tlves 'of this gr~a:t United Strut_.' of Armari,,"; d~ whlit.\ver' Is iii 'thei" 'power ·to· til>~a\ti' the 1 elease of aJlL*m@rlcan.1prtaonerS"land!an(aecounlt\n@;o.f th'eJ rn.iflsing:in: S'Qutheas'b AsIa. . ,

, We{bf cotlrkeJJpin with yJu iii'y61\'rtifgc!mt feelihi;s; 'but'the' q~i)stld~' ieiWlrat"dbes.u;qp.itI>ess1dd? .D·d wes~ndinaf,ttisk: force tb·:g·et tMrh', ot' dt! i wt!· 'jIiW Ilin1v;;t lie'lll'ingl!ilill1if. i¥ow' ·:£hill·l\.\)1e'tielit\ 'pc\oPle" we,"'it'r<J' iht'ere'stedll:ID'o wiitf;ft'o dort iI\'lfi>iitis'at' the' l'i&g'O'tiil.tlhg tMJlii mtobg]'i/ our U.S. representatives t.hore-;-lInd thQY have beenbo.th Rep''1.blld\il l

all''''"YeI\1<ldf~£!.J.Jdtlwhtl1i.db.wed(W ·,1' I,d' ". ,I ,,,I ...... , '.1 '.

,You seo/'itis''ll!ll Ve'ry'w~lr tbdotne iri",;Jilddiirtlarid;:btlt'what .db' y'du 'wafitrts t6db~T'l'lJll 'fu\.wh!it~b.\I 'waiW l!:t/'d'~' RY,l ~,:rc\ ~h~Nyel'l"~ne on th1S subComm1ttee' w!ll ',b'f lht~t.este'il In'';trelpll\G; ydii,!, B1'lt . tl;1~~e! general demands, you see', toli:lo!som~thii\g 'are very'well' mt~n\tJ(;\n·ed.

SPECIA'rJ·'Cfo!.lM1TTEIn.'\li'6li" 'Pt)w I'Mii' AFFlIhs

":Mr.:~'llboK!JAL1ii!! Mr."Fuiton, 'thl#~ :is n:6'tjJi:rig'geneJ'al;)I2di~nl{re~ if.i6'tl1.~Jill1ltt'h'ere i~ 'anytliiqg genet'."l 'ab'9\\1itlill'd.'<!iliil'n'd,f;l)f' l( S}?'iCi\ll coUimit'ti~efor'PDWI 't\fi'airs'} 'F.hey· '1~qU:l'd .1r~V8 tJillir.l!W'ih;jll\tf/tJieY c\l)'tta work bt! 'it'fUl~tiilie.' I tlilnk! ih'a'ti'til'iltt' fs'/,'v.'ei'j: sti,~blf1I"i'~'q'tie~.t.' Y'oU' ask~tI'J':'S.Wha't iwe:wltrlt. y.bU·tbd6;':rha.t',i~:Wl\,l't'.w~ f(i!.n.t y'o;t! .. :~(J do of a specdle natui\'e, and w.e feel,that)t wouW])!l.:,'Very :wtJrtb. w~,le! . M~s: iN d1\TiI': '~a:y I;M'I',' .'ulton, T~.pbWd ,to' 'th'e f,hl'\;' fHai il''t?u

tefet'b'rucldh 'firy' jii1!:dgril'jih" 'tlii~il~ tJilecfiJUtt)i'tli,l,;,P#'erl1llV'~ .t~stlf1M· r

and: w~J.~PP~~~iTh~~.':~ll~jo~b~tl'~I~~·.:W \!~1' .~~:; \I~'I:~~cW?~}~()!'~i~W~~ . 65-810-72-pt. 2-8

lOS

that we testified, we asked for certain things.,)Ww,.were·;lIlske~ by"You, "What do you want us to· do?,',} and:wetold· ~ou.<.'Fhe.e·thIIigs have not been done .. There was no reason to go·into.! them again .. Ifyowlook in, ·tlle: congressional hearings, .• you 'emil· see, that .they' have <alr.eady been asked for and nothing, happens,: and we: ate £rtis~rated. !\lild",e' are 1>11gry,alild we aue,af.aiid,Jand 1 think. you 'can appreciateth"t . . Mr. FllOLTCilN., 1 don't disagree that many ·ofus are frustrated' and

we are afmid.,of lihe future··of these men, and .thatds ,why .so many of us. are ·concerned. ,But 1: cannbt'see ,wha.t.,a. new C0llUl:littee that isan· ad hoc committee without legislative status, can do that this 'subcom~ mitteethat'has legislative status a.nd oaritake aciionisalreadY·doing. You see, the difference in ,the type'.Cilf committee you .ladies'a.re sug­gesting is that· that. committee can investigate,· but .yet.ithaslno.status in the legislative puGce"s. It· mustdbe a standing~olnmitteE"of the Congress, a regular legislative committee, dn order to report out legis-· tation. So in my view Y01!l'wouldbe.moving away from a subcommittee that has legislati"e stat1!lS, has ·tak. en, action,.toa committee whioh' would just be adeba.tin~ society' .••. "'C;' .••.• ••... , .•...• ,

MrS; S:'0CKDALE; I disagree w,th yon. I. thmk a commltteewlth Ili full.timestaff that worked on' this· problem full ·time would be' ex~ tremcly reltssuring and helpfl'll, and they couldmllikemanycontribu-i tions to the other committees that might be ·somewh .. t interested but don't have the' time or the information.' . .,." . .' ,,'

Mr. JfULTON.But when they):llliv~ no le~islative .powert.o r.eport out a bIll, theythenhecomea debatmg society. This dOll111)lttee.haa the .legisLative power to act onlegislatlO11, and in two iristainces \Ve haveshown·yeu we·have put this up at the top of U;S .. foreign'policy,. t.he que. stion of the prisoners· "hYar and the missing in .ac. ti.on: We' are' the 'ones who have done this .. ,. ,,' . . ,.' .' . '.' Mr~ .. STQCKDA:,,>i: Lam not like. the, miniS.teriu church who bawls out .the congregation for· , the people' who· don!t 'come· ·to 'church;;- 1, know thllt you .ture the only people that will hear us"and I !'ppreciate that. I d~n't W(l~t. you to ~top wha~ Y0,\'re dping;:r j\1st,w:antI!l0~e' added to .It. I w!lnt a full-time staff work)llgon Ili full-timecomm\tte~ on. ,this. particular .problem,' in addition to.everything. tha.t you are: doing. '" '; "," .... .' . . .. :' , .'.,., ' .... . Mr. FULTON. But you mus~ 'be careful th'lt you are ,not ,thepr.eacher;, Preaching ·to tqe ,churchchom, bep~\18ll ,,,ell~e .onj1o.ur; ~I(ie. . ... . Mr •. S,T9S!'ID,I.)'E .. r kn:q\V, yoll,l\r.eoJil.my Side, otherw.lSe yqu would,

not.be hearll;lgme, No);>o<,ly else wl)).hstell.to,us .... ,.. . .' "" Mr; FlIL,!"ON, .. Then ,,,l1y do !'Wa;y with us?

rpFL-TIMEC0ll!MP:'iEi!l. STA.\'F"N,El'lli'\ilIi.

Mrs; .iOTOC"IlAI,E, I,do,l)l!t want !to .• \\P.! !'wa)!. witp. ,yoll,;IA ust .6/!id that. I ,vant YQ11qt,<\>, cPIltl!?:u,e, I,4o)lilotW11-nHo,<\q 'W\1l\Y }"ltIlYo,l,Hlj.; any 'V.&y" sh!,p~, pr}o.r\U .. I YPH ,\'f8 .t)).e"l.egi.ll\t;iv~';! tl;iatls'I'¥i4~rlt))i~! comm .. 1. Hee .• <\q~.~ uO~! n.e. e.d •. ~egl~a .. t~v.¢"p.'i)Jv~r,."lle.cl!!'I~ .. ,e ,yq1.l ,:\\a.1'.!~ Itli,a .. t. power, Ldq, thi,nl!: thatw~,nee\i'a <\omjUitt~e,!witjl,a .. ~taff.t4at 'Yqr.l>~'. ,?n.th8·wroJ:i~e'A,fl)1l:~in:l\\"!!f I; , •. i'\·'·"·1 ..... '''''1'",>",\" ", I':' , .Mr. ¥VI~Tp';;r!i "XRu"relJ)l(lHJ.>r.r. t)Wt, I,<p~~~e~~):>y; ,ae~~wg) )!1PG91ll­mltt~~. Ju.r~.q.ifct}.?,n~ .. A>.as.·1 ,e .. 'fr,1\1S\X~, Jllr"s .•. ,~ic,~. Wi\I~' ~\\ch.'.§f ,\~sn.'s,~,p;a~'1t'~1! CO,lllll)1 tPe~s". t):\e1, .,dq I not, q~~rll\p'f i'!8' If I il'!Wf, s~h ,11 n\ ,a,. ~!!<P.'W.~l.fl'I?O.Wn, mlttee, you Will then take tne]llrlsdlCtlOn a\Vay from thls'commlttee

i: < .. II ,:y.,', I::· ;' . .'1

109

which.hwl' the legislative,anthocity, :·and· put ,it into : an' ,ad ,h@c"com; mittee without such legislative authority. I am really ,doing ,this ,to point out to you what congressional procedures are that I don't t\link you may' have, thought·. ,of: .whel!l:,You, made· ,the recommendation of another, committee . working on the subject, which, of course, would take ,the legislation'ltway,frorr(us. ' ", .. :', .

Mr. ZABLOCKI. Mrs. North. . .' ". Mrs. NORTH. [8 it not' conceivable: for this committe.' to choose a

staff of people responsible to this' coimnittee todonothmg but ·spend all of their time working' on this problem?· '. ". ". :. ,," ,. , •

Mr. FULTON. You would be surprised the ·tim. 'the'members:o£ this subcommittee and, the member~' .,,£ the staff' 'of'the' Foreign Affairs Committee have spent onthes. subjects; because they arll,as complicated a subject as any of us haveever~un into in aU "f our experiencidnCongress. . .... :' . '.' ' " , ' • ':.' .'.' .. ': ,."

Mrs. STOCKDALE. We' understandthe'campJication: of' the'situatiob.i You are ,right; Ido not know all the intrioacies of theconlmittee pro" cedures and so forth, hut I think you're too smart not to"know:ibolli' to go about establishiJ,lg such a committeethl1tw0uld be 'effective, ,if you want to. I have too much faith in, you;' I know yon can ,do it if you want to. '. ' ' ."",,' .', .' ,.:,

Mr. FULTON. I thiri.k that· is just. the way we are, 'so that might 'bE> 0. difference of opinion, but I think we<arEvdoing everything that WEl can. I am sure ,that youhaye hewd Mr. Broomfiel<il, It'RepuJ!>licanor! this committee; and you have heard me; another Republican;compli:' ment the chail'maJl,a Democritt; Mr. Zablocki;' lor his' intensive' efforts, and also across party lines' both every RepUblican· and'Demo­crat on this subcommittee, . : ' ::' . ,

Mrs. STOCKDALE. I am not criticizing this committee: .. ' .' '.' Mr. ZABL'OCKI. If'the gentlemanfTom'Penhsylvania 'Would! permi~

my time; I would 'like:to take· 30::seconds merely"tQstate we Went through all of uhisatour ~ast hearing: I'amsurethe:ladie~uride:st"ndl and I had stated at that time, that an ad· hoc cOmmltt~e, mvestlgatQry COl11mittee,would;be welcomed by the chairl11!>nlJutthis sub'co~­mittee or the Foreign Affairs Oommittee' do nQt .have',autho~ityi'to establish ad hoc comnrittees·. Such ,an' ad hoc committee or a j'all1t:com" mittee could only be ,established by the RU,les' Comliiittee.' ,':! '.

In the past I gave' ass)1r .. nce, and I w4nt,toreite~ateat' thi,s!·t'ltl~ that wewillh,We: a continuing' effor't '0.. nd Mintinuing interest 'in tl:\e, problemo£; the: p.oW's and' MIA'·s; At the,time of·oul' 'last' 'hearing!! I said oUr subc,ommittee would meet'i)'ll ,the' POW/MIA' ias1)8l1t 'IMs,t' once a month; 'That might lJe' aboutthli numbei'o! 'tl:ni.esltn'a:d hOc' committee would meet, As you know, such ilh'adhoc c'ohlmi'llteii w6uld be comprised of various Membe~s of Oongi'e~s, :so:rne: of"Wh'om'li!lay' 40t hllve' the' 'back'groundand j),;fOtlifatr<lil bf'the Foreign' 'Aftli1lr9 (1)(lm­mittee. Nevertheless, rcan sympathize' 'witl;l' ydur'd~slrlJ 110 '\'>'rln~<'td this subcommittee to ~top"otlr 'effbi'ts' bUt ydu.:Wi;1)(~ additi()rtlt~, eftl({rts and we will assistyou~"'i,""" ',' '\,;"'; '1,::, .>,,/.·,1 i,~" "', i': ',;'-"I'·~',d,(:.r.\ :!L'~ .: If the 'Rutes '€J6mrt\itt~~' wQuld'see'fit'Wap,pr,Q'Ve' or' \i'O'th:i;>riliJ(an

ad hoc'Mlnmi ttee' on 'thiS' \lartiqtlla:rlsuoj~6t.,.let :mel, aSSI'llie ':y'ou"P'foUltl< be very. pleased t1ndl],ap'i'>J tti:oop\,>orv'flha:t'.'!J1Jfth:I(l1lliilJiltiWle, 'h!jWev.i!tl this subpommittee wiU'9Qiitil'ihe ''oI'l'l''e'll'tirts 'a:htl' '(>b\)~r\\J<i'll 'Hui pllo-ht . 6fthe ;POW /MI;Ai's. Will "'ijITa 'J'>i'eci!\te ·ytl r uRd:er~t dii'lg<6f;. lti\tvw~ are' ·tryl\\g' to' do "!I1.'l'd' w~' shMf,b61rtiil'U'e'" ~k/itlW ItJ\c8:yh\,jO(l\iHi~"WIlitit"

thi&lcomainitteff ,to ,stOpl ollr,~fforts ,bllifJ'ybu, wanti aUdi%m.l effdrts 'and wlvwin':~8istyb!u~"! '11,', 1 .1)i-I,J;\'Ui; 'l'/::,'!'"i, !i !i'I' lil":!,i;'1 -·1'-

';;.,:, ": .J1_«,i, ')'j:\ ,,')';1.' ·\'t'I'l'; hU-Ji>, ';'1:'1)\",;. "" . F>,

. ,j '!' i;,' .". i i' '-,>In 'lIiR1!I,tESI: OOMMIIl'Fr;rlEE~('AOrDrON: :NEED®D'/ " 1<, J

J:'-'J:" ,iI'~i·i,; ,J"'j;!",' "Ii', 1;,1 '_'Ii;;,>'",; "ilj-:!1:i., ',_Ji';I.-;' " Mrs. STOCKDALE. Excuse me,,"W<luldIY.Qu,initiate,tla0 ItlltiOIi;wit.bAhe

Rules Committee? .:ii'I!)/ ./!~/ ~">",) :_:'J.:\ 'r

Mr,.,ZAlllOOP,lH" ",\t . thisiIIlPillt let rIM·'b.e,,very. IhQfles;t., That/Would be ~\lr.t, ofla,.e~Mlldictmel/;~ oi, my,effort~,,,,ndl that oMhe, sn~c<i>ljllmittee. r would prefer not to initiat~,such,aptl0n with"tlae,.ltules, Committee. lhope ·Y9ulun<:\~rstfl;Jl.d.·;. , .. ;.. I ,.' ':' '" , ' .. ,' ".l~i[rs,BT(j~KllA4~, Yes,; I liInderstand. , .. .' .",l.V,[r. Fvt.!I'QN!:W:o.u)~ly()u,yi.ld .for,a sugg,estion? '",.' • " , Mr·. Z))'Il);(lclo"lAehg\lteG! to,·,: .,""" " '," ,. " . :

Mr. FULTON. The House Foreign Affairs Committee'is,noUhe(Hlly cP'l)ill1lit~ee,,~f: th.e ,Q@IlgJ!~~s, ~hie)).is):).Quld:tal<;e oognizal'loe' and jurisdic­ti!>.\l of t1i.~,proble,in.i;r" ,'lae)ie isi ·th~i S.ena~e Foreign. RelMiona ()i>mmittee', thodt"Co .ArmedSenV!Res Comnut.tees' of, ,uhe House: and. ofithe Senate. 'llh,at is. the .Airn;1ed Ser;v,ices, Committee of the, NoQse has j,tlJ)isdiction of eVery:seniceman.,i,n :the u.s; FQree.'. Likewise"th'e Senate ,Armed Services Committee has present jurisdiction of every U.S. ser¥iceman iniO).lrforces: Ina.ddition to.that,we, haye.the V;~ter"'ns: .AffaiIisCom­l1litt.ee iqf .th~ Ill;ouse and, tlaere is.nOWdl,new V eterl1Iis'{)ommittee· of the 8ena,tethat"hlwe, jurisdiotion ,ofr lIU!ythiNg ,having ,to do· with people who "hawe ·beou, oon:neote<iwith, ,the/ser,Yice· and may: Or may ,not, be in the sermceM the then.,PNsent :time .the. issue cOmes up ..

So .We hfJil'e:mally;c0mmittees' b.llltt):)~ problem. is who is, taJ.<ingthe interest and who is exercising the jurisdictiortLlIa "'!laweI" to that question, we cQlljlebaek. to 'ourd(ii,liel ohairman •. ,Mr .. ,Zabl0cki, ,and' the ~$~hofl 1)~ ,O]l'rtliW;, 8uboQmmitte.e,!lSi being, the olleswh.QI have,t"ilketl/an in.tense .interest"m;tny.,of u~ because, 01:per£onal,teaiflons. lAud u;nder thQ~,e ,ciI1c,1):mstan.ae~ to,set: lIs.icle, ",;sub¢Qll)J!llittee .tl\~~ is. i\Qting~ . ,Mrs . .s<rOGKD.A,J;ij",We·don'~.want: .to ,se,t,jt, aside, ,llhlttiis :not true., . ,,)Mr, .FU:IiI1oN\,1]hen ,how,do y.<i>U ~<'it IIWcayfroll).th,e'p'''JagressiOl'liai-ruie t):)at eMit, Qom;m;itiee ,shal\ b,1I y~, it;;, .oWn si']lJJ:a tejwi~tlietiiOlvbe0,ause oiV.er1Il1Ii',li'log. jur~sdiMioljl8,of(,Cbl1l/lli.tt.ees wj,l(cllI1,\se ,ooljlfl:lslon? IIow,do you get away"fn1l1l,t):)at?llb~lie;Ye with,theiphWJ;llall ,thltt We would' be sayiug:tQ theR,ule~:,COl'j.Ilil~~tee-t-"Chich hae,now mad:!! a ruj,e,th.lIt they w,u! takel)o,ueMc actions,beginpjI\g,O,ctob~r, If"nhe rest,<I>f, thissessiort .. ':[):)eywlll take ,nollle,s,o,:that I rVhinlqweiwo\lld, be' s!l<yiI)g,rto,the .Rules QOlllln,i:ttee 'w, e'a,~e'v.t)"I<UI1taJ.'l,',·ly, ' .abdica, t,'i~,.our .juris.dioti9u ,an,' d,we' feet th.at ~om~bodY,els,e()an:dp:it b~tter.,.l1nd·~ldon(t thiuli:lthe!)r,clW<. ,I' . : M~, Z""iLoOU. Mps\, No,t.h." ',., ... ,I." ,/, .. "ii,," ·""li, .. ' "M¥.,~I!fG/JI1AMI;,l'4\t.y,IcolUm~!ltL'·"'",.I." """" , .. "' .. ',."." ' "l\flj. Z4"(II<QC\liI.;S ~w,; ~,jJ,aYlj ~~9np~d,,~he! cloq1<; of'm;\',.QiWlJdtinle b.uU

t/linkth;e ,g1ilI\ tlelllalilc Ifrom,,:p,en\1~Y\V~~'" '. i·.:1 ,'" '" i ,,' "'" , iNfiJ;. F,vJ:.w0l!',.;,~ t,hloJ(t\.4i~ i~,yei!1l!jl)1,pi>:l'taI\,t •. , ':' "',', '," '";", ,d ,,:',

Mr. Z'ABLOCKI. We WI} have the one comme:Q.it(\, ;"~""!~ !i)' ,! "1/ . ',':;:

~'l.N€J,Ri"B:.) We, AOI\',t W!lIlrt:y!QlI out· .otbu'"iljl"<l~s, ,ypu,!lJ1ell1uP, j),qi<\uds all<k;l'f,e ,Im\)l"that,,~ ~d\",p~ :WchllltJW~"W!~ ;t~y'j!lg;,t<i> ppn;v,ey, ,tp,yO)}. ~s· Nlr v;~ry, )d~p, .~lilil, ~e, '~,frl\, stra,1l!on,,~htl\t .Jilllr,l;V1p~ ,,:[<'?'}I,:\l!l'e,,p.u,' f",QiJJ,j(lf,ri",}),ds..' , ,¥i1i( Zi4Jl'H(;)O)<iI .. ,;.;.',Iiohe! G/la\l:~ll,\l[lil, lIfIi\\\e~sl;®rl~·J;Jl}!,t! '.' ""i" "! 10'" "re 'Ill,

," i,M, llSl,.NPR,iPff, .r:J;',lIrAl'PS, ~ome., '8fi, Y,0.1,1 i g<j>,wP",lIillt ,"S[\QiVli,', t!\'d<J:tor!~h,e, S~Mtei '~pr,e\gnr :Et.~11 tlPl)s(JOn'l;J;nittee" MId ,lthe' Arlilfwd)>'Pel'jV\~,~~ ,(ClOll)r'

:J:ll

Nilittee Ilillld IVeterans' ',A<fllarirs' IG@):I11ffilittee ,~0testiliy' )MlHl',we,woiild mot h-ave,to:~be',tlrSldng'f0~,othel' aet~OJ1l'·.(li' ",,; "i~\' :!-:,.); '.:d'·'1"(,;~·",'

!: !'" ,_ ,., . \' . ,'I', "',

Mrs, STOCKDALE, Or a select coinll)~tt~e,a~l),l)d",l,>Il,mQll\POMsi,,)~f meP1l?e~s"f~Ol\lIl)l,tl:teJcomp*te~1\ YQll' 11'iV:e j)U,S,t ll\enti01i\~d;a'ld,t~en they ,Ill t\Wll'"QPlflsi IUllIll:e ,r~cPmJUe1l<tl},t~o!W itor,the !ProP,er; 1~!JlsIOj"tlv;e

bOfl;,)iv~TQN'~i ;W~j);;e:i~v.ited, tpe~ :h~;~ 'tQ:t~sti~Yi f~oP1 tt~)Rou~~ !\lld. the ISeni),te" ,inyi~ed,'iN,eryrli>ocliY ,I

Mr,ZA,l!'HP,CKI.i:Mr"Ji\ingJi,~lUi''',,'' ,', "i,:,""", Mr,B'NGHAM, Thankyou,Mre'Q1\aiMIIJV,,',' ': 'i"",'i" I have no question to ask but I would like to make a little statement

,and then ask you ladies,~o ~AUWl~llt'I', '/',' ," ", " I attended the coffee that you had this morning and I'Was ,impressed.

with,tlite numller, ,of people' ,thaV ,ydwlliacl at'lt)j,at',a:neetin~,',';:Y oUlalso had ,a very g{)o,c1"t~rn;out, of th~ Men:b~rso£':1,lie' Sen~tel!1nditJ:t,,~ol1.e'. I thmk,:there lIS' dniemenil:QUS,'llltt@rest 1~: y0ur,pr"blem,ana,~d"'t does not apPellX ",Lw,ays' 011' thesur!aee'atlisi.because,b£,!b seJliie,of .fmlstr.wtioJi. ,ofwhattodoaboutit." 'I' ",' .. ,' I "

iN@lv"LallUlof,the,llIiew.that,we,w.iillnqtlget the prisoneFs,oflwar,and ,the missing ,ia' aet~()]l' a~c@u"ting: "thwt, iW.9' want, . the !'telaas" <l£"t)le prisoner. bf ,war :!md, the ,rnooouncting ,,1' the: MilA.' s, untilltlit.oHwmrr,isov .. ,,,s,farias th''''iIUllited;States,is.ooJil<lern.~d.','i, ',,'I :"'" I" ''''''-ii:;

IM~s: ,IN:OOIthilnlheF.,stfbtament:has,stl1 fu<1, land rL tmnkj it is;aiIleas0nf,tble ,demand, that we do what should be done to obtail1!lt,4e,release,ofrthe pris0ners. lWelL, ~ t):Jllink:all\laj0rity: ofJthe Senfbt~'I1lld, olose: to 'al'maj:0rity ·of the House, now, believe, that: the .aotion ,thaltJ s};lOuld 'che ,:ta;jren, ,ten ·obtain the release of the, IprisonersJislt<i set,\! date:~or, rbhe'termiJ:ra'liion ,of the U.S. participation in the WaF',l.coriditionalupon thea-ele·ase,@flthe prisoners and upon the accountingbeing'IDfLdel.that is:the<:iorce,of,the present Mansfield resolution which is rbeirig",teintro<iluoed'-\nl"the

,'Senate. '1, .j'l;' J ,:1,)',' :'.;,;"j' i,"; 1 i rI ,just wan MoJsaythdt:Lhope:MerY'l,lliucli:trnat 0'01:11' '0rg>aai1;zatimn and

,othersliloe it wilL deoide <1m theldem@cr.a1i;"'wa,v that, tlHs,is:,the[oomse . you .should, plilrSU8, Jthat,this i~lthe focus, of"thslacti<i>n:,thllit:y,ouishould ta~e,,~ donitdorr.QMi of ,any 'otl:>@rl,~ayitoig,et theqiliis(j)]jler~;ouit .\>Jffir~ 'trunk l't :would :haNea ,trem eJilo1J@ns' Im;pllot, lmitheIO~ng'r.ess'and"o'Or <the administration if your; orgahil')atidn. 'would g,et ,belirind: ~luis, ,m'OvS) :whioh;! ,thinkihas growing!snppont .imthe Gongress,: to requinertlie Eind .of the AmemcaJi. par1li<i'iJDation in this,war,,.IJ tlitatwtl'caU'get ~he;ptisooi. ,erg ,out. ' '.'ii,;'" ," '\ •• :

., I knpw:ther.e,are some"amoll!!'you.;or,tlienB' .. are other,,0rglll1luataons,'oo wives and families of POW's and MIMB who! <iko1il>loe,<tbiis'lti!'liW,;,J: :gather that up Inn,til now ,this,haB,n<!>tibeen.,the ,view lif ,tlitellUltjotity of :ooour .gllOlap Ihut;! ju.tiwlbwt ,to say ,that ,im my;iudglilllentitthis' iB"tliterma.Y ,to get, the ,pris,@)lers"ont, ,1 ,iI:on'.t'see, .IlJlVYlother ,"'8& lanll:I,jhe.jil.e, that

,~::seo~fOJ:~~~~.ntb...tis'inee~ngn0W' "~ll:d~cid!~. ~~t~u~i;r,~,I~~ Mt.:ZAtBL-'o-l<ilig:I .. :Mr$~:-N0Dth.:.' "'I.':'~ .! ,'n",]!;, ('di~! _:)~"j:i ;[>1

'Mrs: b(.ORlJ)H( ;('wo0l1di,lijre,t,'I iMor.m:i "M". ,iBmghainvJthrolJ ,rut lOOrIil' meeting yesterday afterooQu ;a, II'l<l>fu ,wllS'lttliklel)."ooJ<this:,anro! f,thmt mlie deague almost unanimously voted to remamuailuJ,manlUa,nimn Gfiu~za-

112

tion, There axe .too.·)itany ,divergent politiowl"vie'ws'within 'the league membership itself and our best intenests 'and our best strengths are served by remaining united on the humanitarian efforts and each individual is encouraged to do-whateverthey.feeHhey must as their own dictates direct them to pursue -whatever course they feel shouldbe'follo.wed·politically. ,., " . . '.' , " Mrs;SToO'(mAliE .. You 'see, Mr .. Bingham, over .the years,-we have been tola that· this' WaS the' way 'or ·this· -waS 'the -way tlr this was the way or this was the way and we as a nonprofit charitable organization ao not· feel that we dan tell ~ouw.-hat,is"th~.waY.l.that we have. to leave that to tbose who are skilled· III tl\:e poiltlCal neld. I don't think anybody would disagre.e that we ~onJ :'want the War· to end. '.

Mr. BINGHAM. How ,sthat agam~ . . . '. } ,.' .' ;,'" "'"

WANT THE 'w A,R' TO END . "

,Mrs,c$TOCKD"LE . .r:don't 'thililk that there is any family member with :somebody. mis.ing . or· captured ,that does nov want. the war to end; Iderl'tthink'there is any disagreement011 that.pointat ail, it is.just that mo.tof us:donot feel that, we are CQIDl?etent to sltyexactly how ·this should be done. '. . . , ! Mr. BINGH,\,M.: Well, I .appr.eclate your feeillig;! must say that I .egret thatth,s, W!l$ the actron taken but, perhaps, thecomse that could be. taken 'is fer your group, to· continue as it does ,and for other groups of families and wives\ 'parents, sons,' and daughters wholeel they can·,to;ke. II ·positionL,.anct I know some ,do~to oper.ate ,independ-eutlyin that regard. '. ". ' . . .' ..., '" ,', .. ' . ". Mrs;8TocKDkLE .. There is nothing stopping ,any ipersen .from be­longing to!\s,many organiz~tionsor gr?UPS' ashe or,she wants to. .' J ,. Mr .. ;BINGH)A.M>Thank you,. M~ .. Cliarrman. ' .. ' ,,' . . " Mr,·Z,l.]iLoord. GovOCuor' ThoIDson; . ". Mr, THOMSON, No :questions ... , . , ... ' M'\ .. ZA:B,H;CK,. Mr .. D'wis ..

Mr. DAVIS, Thank you, Mr. Chairman. :, :I would like. to thank hoth,ofyo.u ladies for fines.tatements', I would Mso.liketo.oall your attention toa fact that! thihk is ,absolutely true..,...in·the"liearts and 'minds. of: every single Member, .ofthe Con­gress, $enateiorHouse', there' is a ,dee]i> .. and .abiding,concern for the POW's and theMIA:'s;.I ,think youcarvput·.that down· asa . .fact, .and ,there is a keen desire to do something about it. . . ,,,], Mso·think, if, the,·truth· were .knowui'thll't' a grellit deaL of. time is devoted to tile problem. in .theoffices ofthirdi,fl'erent Members of the House and Senate, and the relatively small number of people. in this room todaYLdoes ·not· meM!: that, the degree ·on interest, lon ·.the partl of Congress i8lsmOiIH~ isn't small. ,.' ' .' Lthink ,thatiLa cietl!l'cut solllltioll:were ;offerelLyou 1 would see . all ¥embers. of 'the. RouBe iand .the c$en",te ,uni~e .. a! don't: think there i~ run;)" reasonable solution. thatw.ould ·go' :without, the sup,port of the .tW<i> bodies. It. would he; .. of,MilDse,dar profevltble; to continuingoommittee: action if a clearcut, wi30, and responsible solution could· be fdundand implemented immediately. I sinrply wanted tQ .• ay.,that"we·,shhirld not 1!lemislead bylthe uuinher"o£ people.; at ;today'a hetl!l'irlg because ,the fCiU'c.e !oMhe:feeling: fer. you istvemendous; ,,' ,'. ';", . ". ,., ·,.Th~ yoTh,JMr. {;Jliltirman;",:, '. I" .... ". ""'.il'I:.

'.

113

Mr. ZABLOCKI. I hesitated to ask this question earlier. I do know

that the league is apolitical and its primary purpose for being estab­

lished is for humanitarian purposes-to promote humanitarian

treatment of our prisoners of war and missing in action. However, regarding the possible motives of the North Vietnamese

in reducing the flow of mail from the POW's, granting the obvious of course, would you agree, Mrs. North, with Mrs. Stockdale that the

intention may be to increase the anguish of the families so that they

will, in turn, exert greater pressure on President Nixon to capitulate·

to the North Vietnamese demands? Is that, in fact, happening in

your opinion? I know you are not speaking for the league. Mrs. North. Yes; I would agree very much with what Mrs. Stock­

dale said. I think it would also increase the anguish between the­

family members as she pointed out and that would. cause them to

take action that they might otherwise never have considered taking.

BILLS PENDING BEFORE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE

Mr. ZABLOCKI. V ery ~ood. Now for the record and in view of some­

of the statements, particularly those of Mrs. Stockdale, it should be explained that there are, as you know, several bills providing tax

exemption for the military missing in action. They are pending before

the Ways and Means Committee in the category of miscellaneous

bills. As you know, the Ways and Means Committee at the present

time has an enormous task on other legislative measures, so called priority legislation, however, it is my understanding that full con­

sideration to the proposals will be scheduled as soon as possible. I want to again reemphasize that all of the suggestions you have

made are actively being considered by various committees. We certainly thank you for all of the suggestions in the past. It.

bas been and will continue to be the policy of the chairman and this

subcommittee to share your views with the proper committees in

order that your proposals may be given proper and full consideration.

I see Mr. Findley has arrived. Mr. Findley, do you have any questions? Mr. F,NDLEY. No. Mr. ZABLOCKI. Are there any further questions? If there are no further questions, Mrs. Stockdale and Mrs. North

on behalf of the subcommittee and myself thank you sincerely for

your testimony. We share your concern. We will continue our efforts.

Mrs. NORTH. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Mrs. STOCKDALE. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. And I

thank the members of your committee. Mr. ZABLOCKI. The sUQcommittee stands adjourned until further

notice. (Whereupon, at 11 :45 a.m., the subcommittee adjourned, subject

to the call of the Chair.)